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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




JOSHUA C. PHELPS and wife LYDIA A. PHELPS 



FOOLS FOR CHRIST 

COMPRISING 

STORY OF THE MULE 

THE ASS, NOT THE WHITE HORSE OF REVELA- 
TION, THE PROPER SYMBOL OF THE 
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY 

A DISCUSSION BETWEEN HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 

BEFORE A 

TRIBUNAL COMPOSED OF JUDGE OX, ELEPHANT 

CAMEL, MEN AND KING GOAT, AS TO WHICH IS 

THE PROPER SYMBOL OF AFORESAID MINISTRY, 

COMPRISING ALSO THAT OF MULE 

By 
JOSHUA C. PHELPS 

PROSPECT, GILES COUNTY, TENNESSEE 



NEW YORK 

BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO, 

835 BROADWAY 



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tjJBHARY of CONGRESS 
I Two Copies Received 

! APR 4 1907 

Copyright Entry 
CLASS O^ KXc, No. 

/72£2-9 

COPY B. 



-^ 



Copyright 1907 



JOSHUA C. PHELPS 
All Rights Reserved 



This work is hereby dedicated to the memory 
of Wm. McKendree and John CEcolampadius, 
from the following circumstances. The latter 
gentleman and Christian hero was converted to 
the Protestant faith from reading the works of 
Martin Luther against Roman Catholicism, and 
so anxious was he to see this distinguished man 
and assist in the work of the Reformation, that 
he rode from France to Wittemberg, Germany, 
the home of Luther, on the back of an ass, and 
became one of the brightest stars in the galaxy 
of great men of the sixteenth century, while the 
former was the first bishop, of American birth, 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and owned 
a magnificent white horse on which he rode over 
a great portion of the United States preaching 
the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and so highly 
did he prize this horse for his excellent qualities 
and faithful services, that at his own death he set 
the horse at liberty, and in his will bequeathed 
him a sum of money, sufficient to maintain him 
during the rest of his life ; and the last account 
we have seen of said horse he was grazing on a 
fine clover field in the State of Kentucky, was in 
splendid condition and had reached his thirty- 
third year — about the length of time Christ was 
upon the earth. 



FOOLS FOR CHRIST, 



CHAPTER I. 



STORY OF THE MULE; ABOUT BREAKING UP FAL- 
LOW GROUND. 

On the first Sunday of October, 1886, in the 
Kidron Church, Prospect Circuit, Giles County, 
Tennessee, at the conclusion of divine service, a 
preacher arose and said : " Brethren, for some 
time we have been studying those difficult pas- 
sages in the eighth and ninth chapters, of the 
Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Some have ex- 
pressed a desire to hear us on those questions. 
If you will come out two weeks from to day we 
will preach on those subjects." Then remarked 
by way of pleasantry, to get up a general interest 
concerning those passages, " The brethren, pres- 
ent never preach on those subjects, do not know 
why, unless they smack too much of Calvinism ; 
hence we never hear anything concerning them, 
without some old Baptist preacher comes in our 
midst." A voice from behind responded with 
peculiar emphasis : ' It requires a double span of 
horses to pull there." 



6 Fools for Christ. 

Two weeks pass, Sunday-school met at nine 
o'clock. At the close of the lessons a preacher 
arose and said : " Dear children, of the church and 
Sunday-School, Uncle Philip told you a beautiful 
story about the horse, now Uncle Phelps wishes 
to tell you a story about the mule. But before 
we will tell you the story we want to talk to you, a 
little about ambition. You have heard the old 
adage, ' Money makes the mare go.' We in- 
quire what makes the horse go. We answer, 
ambition makes the horse go, and it makes the 
mule go too, and we are inclined to the opinion 
that it makes the mare go, the old adage to the 
contrary notwithstanding. Be this as it may, one 
thing is certain, horse, mare, mule, man, woman, 
boy nor girl, is much account without a good de- 
gree of ambition. 

But, children, there are two kinds of ambition : 
one we will call laudable ambition, the other vain 
ambition. What is vain ambition? It is a little 
narrow, selfish principle and impulse, which 
causes people to strive to excel some one else who 
may be considered more intelligent, or talented 
than self, and it is exceedingly envious of a rival, 
and its end is personal interest, notarity and 
aggrandizements. Most all the evil that has 
cursed the world has originated from vain am- 
bition. It is the cause of nearly all the murders, 
wars and persecutions, that have occurred in the 
history of our race. It is a curse to anybody, and 
to everybody who is infected with it. Strange 
as it may seem, this is the kind of ambition most 
people instil, into their children. Let me teach 
you a more excellent way, children. Do not 



Fools for Christ. 7 

strive to excel each other, but strive to excel self, 
then you will have something to excel that is 
worthy of being excelled, and that you can excel 
to your own advantage. We mean this: do 
well to-day, better to-morrow, and continue so 
doing as long as you live, and when you have 
done your best be satisfied ; for it is all God re- 
quires of you, and you will never be infected with 
the plague of envy toward those who may be 
considered your superiors in some respects. 

What is laudable ambition? We have almost 
told you, but we will be more specific. It con- 
sists of a desire and purpose, to cultivate the pow- 
ers of mind, soul and body. God has given you, 
with reference to His glory, your own good, and 
the happiness of others. This kind of ambition, 
knows nothing about a competitor, is a stranger 
to the spirit of rivalry, and those who have it, 
would cultivate it, if no one else existed upon the 
earth. This is the kind of ambition that actuated 
Jesus Christ, and all the holy prophets and apos- 
tles and martyrs. It is the grand moving princi- 
ple of all great and grand men and women, and 
without it none can be truly good or great. Peo- 
ple of vain ambition, though never great, would 
have all the world behind them, that they might 
gain the glory of the world ; while people of 
laudable ambition would have all the world ahead 
of them that they might gain the glory of God. 
Said Paul to Agrippa: I would to God that, not 
only thou, but also all that hear me this day, 
were both almost, and altogether, such as I am, 
except these bonds." If with my present attain- 
ments, in knowledge and grace ; I was the head of 



8 Fools for Christ. 

the entire race, would it make me any greater in 
the sight of God, or if I be the foot, would it 
make me any less ? Nay, what I am ; I am 
nothing more, nothing less ; glorious ambition, 
children ! seek after it. 

Now we will proceed with the story. Those 
profound passages of Scripture in the eighth and 
ninth chapters of Romans, are full of gospel 
truth, and we have often wondered why our 
preachers do not discuss them. Did not know 
until the brother said it required a double span of 
horses to pull there. Now we think he was a 
little mistaken, for certainly a good strong horse 
can pull here. So the brother must have had 
reference to the pony. No doubt it is too much 
for a pony, and the nature of the case is such 
that but one pony can pull at a time; therefore 
the ponies do not pull here. But we are not a 
span of ponies ; the truth is we are not a pony at 
all, but a little tow-head mule, just about gray 
enough to make a good pull, and you know that it 
is not infrequently the case that a little old mule 
will pull more in a tight place than a span of 
spoilt, balky ponies ; and amidst all the dis- 
couragements we are going to try it, and pull our 
best. 

The mule is not particular about what he pulls 
with. He will pull with another mule, or he will 
pull with a pony, or a big horse ; it makes but 
little difference with him what he pulls with. 
But some ponies are very particular about what 
they pull with, for fear they will get their shoul- 
ders hurt. 

In the law of Moses we learn that an ox and 



Fools for Christ. g 

an ass should not pull together; for the simple 
reason, they are unequal in strength and gait. 
Now the mule has learned to practice this princi- 
ple, while he pulls along with pony, big horse, or 
another mule, he keeps to his own plow or wagon 
and pulls his own load, and when he pulls all he 
can he is satisfied, for this is all God requires of 
him. But the foolish ponies sometimes hitch on 
to the mule's wagon and pull against mules, and 
get their shoulder hurt. Now let all observe 
this rule and things will work smoothly and 
pleasantly, and nobody will get hurt, keep to 
your own wagons, and pull your own load and 
do your best and be satisfied with your lot. 

Other things are objectionable. Some ponies 
are poorly equipped for business. Their harness 
is inferior, made of soft ropes ; plows are of 
wood and short — just skim on the surface; 
hence, many places in Emmanuel's Land is poorly 
plowed, and what little wheat exists is choked by 
growing thorns and thistles. Hence mule 
likes harness and plow made of Gospel steel, 
which is hard and tough ; the plow-point keen 
and long, so it will strike to the clay, break per- 
nicious roots, and throw them out. The furrows 
close and deep, the ground well plowed, sow 
bountifully the precious seed. So that God will 
be pleased to send the sun and rain of grace to 
make it grow and ripen, that angels may reap it 
and garner it above. 

Some ponies' wagons are of wood, and their 
loading inferior. They put on straw and chaff, 
but little wheat. Quail unpicked, wine and milk 
adulterated. But mule likes a cart made of steel 



io Fools for Christ. 

that will bear the Ark of the Covenant and he 
wants sound well-dressed meat, wholesome bread, 
sincere milk and pure wine of the Gospel, wants 
his load packed close; just all that he can 
pull, so that when he goes out among the people 
he can supply them with plenty of good Gospel 
food, that they may eat and drink and their souls 
be satisfied, and grow and become strong men 
and women in Christ Jesus. 

Now let the mule pull, for he loves to labor in 
this cause, and there is enough to keep us all 
busy during life. So let him pull without hinder- 
ance or discouragement in hard, rough places ; 
and let him pull that which is substantial and 
good, that which is worth pulling. " What is the 
chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord ; " and let him 
pull on. pull on, till God says ho ; and Jesus takes 
his little harness off and gently lays it by, and 
says, " That will do, mule, that will do." 

Attention, mules ! Vain ambition, in the 
church and ministry, is what we are after. This 
hydra-headed monster is the parent of many 
vices. Some of you may have been following the 
example of the ponies, fighting at a little vice 
here, pawing at something there, kicking at some- 
body over the sea. Now abandon this foolishness, 
quit yourselves like men, mount upon God's 
chariot drawn by His fleet horses, rush down to 
this Sodom, wrap your Gospel chains and hooks 
around the neck of this seven-headed monster, 
drag him from his polluted throne, and bury him 
in the sea, and break up the fields of Gommorah ! 
Sow abundantly the precious seeds, and let the 
angels chant harvest home. 



Fools for Christ. ;ii; 



CHAPTER II. 

The ass, not the white horse of the Book of 
Revelation, the most appropriate symbol of the 
Christian ministry. 

Dear Children : 

After finishing the story of the mule, we turned 
to the concordance in the Bible and began to 
trace the references of the horse, ass and mule, 
and the query presented itself, what animal is 
the most appropriate symbol of the ministry? If 
you do not know what is meant by this, I will 
explain it. All nations have symbols. The 
United States has the bald eagle ; Siam the ele- 
phant, Persia, the roaring lion, and England the 
crouched lion. Pictures of these animals are 
made on coins of gold and silver and flags borne 
by soldiers, and hoisted on vessels at sea ; so that 
it may be known what nation they are from. In 
the Bible, Christ is symbolized by animals. He 
was innocent and meek, hence he is called the 
Lamb of God. He had great courage and power, 
hence he is styled the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 
Inferior animals are thus employed to represent 
qualities and attributes of the human and divine. 

Now to the question, Has the Christian minis- 
try a symbol among the lower class of animals, 
and which is it ? Let me remind you of what was 



12 Fools for Christ. 

said in the story of the mule on the subject of 
ambition, for we are writing in opposition to vain 
ambition in the Christan ministry, in order to 
promote the laudable. 

Now we proceed with the inquiry: What ani- 
mal is the most appropriate symbol of the Chris- 
tian ministry ? Here is a beautiful white horse ; 
his pedigree is fine : he has been well cared for 
from a colt, and has developed into a well-formed 
horse, and is sixteen hands high ; has an arched 
neck, carries a high head, he is active and strong, 
and for speed he cannot be excelled. Now we 
will place by him another animal which has had 
the same chance and tutelage. It is a large, weil- 
formed white ass from Bagdad, and represents 
the one that Abraham rode when he went to offer 
Isaac as a sacrifice. Which of these animals do 
you think is the most suitable symbol of the min- 
istry? The horse. The horse, you say? We 
used to hear preachers speak in like manner and 
we supposed they were correct ; but we have 
changed our reasons, and now we claim that the 
ass is. 

The reasons for the assumption follow. Ac- 
cording to the Scriptures, the ass is more intelli- 
gent than the horse. " Be ye not as the horse, 
which has no understanding: whose mouth must 
be held in with bit and bridle lest they come near 
unto thee (encroach upon thee)." But the ass is 
commended for his understanding. In some re- 
spects he is wiser than many people. " The ox 
knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib ; 
but Israel doth not know, my people doth not 
consider." Hence we conclude that the ass is 



Pools for Christ. 13 

the better symbol of the ministry. The chosen 
minister is a man of good sense — has the ca- 
pacity to learn and understand ; otherwise he 
would not be adequate to this high calling. His 
mission is to diffuse the knowledge of God in 
Christ Jesus and thus win souls, and this is the 
province of wisdom. He that winneth souls is 
wise, — a task too great for the foolish ; hence 
God never calls them to this work. To preach 
the Gospel means to teach it; and how can a 
man of weak understanding teach the grand 
system of redemption, the depths of which as- 
tonish the wise angels? It is utterly impossible, 
therefore the churches should not encourage the 
weak-minded and ignorant to enter upon the 
duties of the sacred ministry. Does not this 
contradict Paul, who says : " Ye see your calling, 
brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh, 
not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 
but God hath chosen the foolish things of the 
world to confound the wise; and God hath 
chosen the weak things of the world to confound 
the things which are mighty." What do you 
think the apostle means by this — that God calls 
ignorant, foolish men to preach the Gospel? He 
means no such thing; but this — God does not 
select the ministers from the class and rank of 
those who are esteemed wise, powerful, and ex- 
alted in the world — vain philosophers, princes 
and nobles; but He makes His selection, from 
those of humble rank and the common pursuits 
of life; but he never calls men who are destitute 
of good sense and understanding. The true 
minister knows God, understands His will, reads 



14 Fools for Christ. 

the Scripture with a good degree of understand- 
ing, and while he does not comprehend every- 
thing, yet he can grapple with its profound ques- 
tions and analyze its sublime subjects. God has 
never called a man to the work of the ministry 
who did not have good understanding of the 
scriptures and sense enough to rightly divide the 
word of truth. 

The horse's eye flashes with ambition ; but the 
eye of the ass looks soft and gentle as a dove's ; 
such is the eye of the true minister. The Chris- 
tian graces within soften the expression of the 
eye so there is nothing fierce or revengeful in his 
countenance. Though he is as wise as a serpent, 
he is as harmless as a dove. 

The horse, with a bright eye, rushes heedlessly 
on to battle, sees no danger by the way ; but the 
cautious, slow-plodding ass, though his eye looks 
dull as lead, sees the angel of the Lord standing 
by the way with drawn sword, in fear turns off, 
carrying an ungrateful rider out of danger while 
he denounces, threats, and smites. So the true 
minister sees the danger by the way, glides the 
blind corrupt church by as it heaps reproaches 
and anathemas and persecutions upon him ; and 
when he gets out of the avenger's reach he 
sounds the alarm, they open their eyes, see the 
angel with drawn sword, fall down, acknowledge 
their sins as did Balaam, obtain forgiveness and 
receive the order, " Go on with the men." The 
fool's eye is in all the earth, but the eye of the 
wise is in his head. The fool's eye is never satis- 
fied with seeing; but the eye of the wise sees 
more than he desires. 



Pools for Christ. 15 

The ass is much more devoted to his master 
than the horse. He loves his company, stands 
by him when dead, though a lion be present, and 
he will not stray off from his Master's crib. So 
with the true minister — he loves his Master su- 
premely — with all his soul, mind and strength, 
and he loves his master's body, the church, and 
will not forsake it though it be in the agonies 
of death, and the devil as a roaring lion is near 
to devour it. Nothing can frighten him from 
his Father's presence and house — he loves his 
company too well, lives near his throne — so that 
he can easily approach, obtain mercy and grace, 
to help in time of need. The language of his 
heart is, though all men forsake thee, I will not. 
Though he slay me yet will I put my trust in him. 
The devil comes to tempt with pleasure, riches, 
fame, and is promptly, sternly resisted. Get 
thee behind me Satan for it is written thou shalt 
worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt 
thou serve. 

The horse is an envious, jealous animal — de- 
sires the special attention of his master — in- 
stantly strikes at an intruder though it be a little 
colt of his own species ; but the ass has not these 
qualities ; he is kind to his species ; likes for his 
master to make much of them too; does not 
bother other peaceable animals nor envy them 
their rights. So it is with all true ministers. 
They are kind and benevolent to one another, 
and respect the rights of all God's creatures. 
Envy no man his silver, gold, lands, houses, 
edcucation, talents, popularity, fame or name, 
and jealously, save for the cause of God comes 



1 6 Fools for Christ. 

not to his habitation where his honor dwelleth. 

The horse is a selfish animal — it requires a 
great deal to support him and he is wasteful too; 
but the ass is not, and it requires but a little 
cheap food to support him. So with the true 
minister ; he is not selfish, or covetous with 
food and raiment, he is content, and he has 
learned, not to waste the precious fruits of the 
earth ; which the Lord has provided for his 
children. Take up the fragments, let nothing 
be lost, said he who made the loaves and fishes 
grow at his pleasure, for the hungry multitude. 
The true minister is not extravagant, or waste- 
ful ; — either, is a sin against God and humanity. 

The horse is not so kind and gentle as the ass. 
When the ass is well treated he is the gentlest of 
all animals. The children can play on his back, 
and pull his large fine ears. Such is the disposi- 
tion of the true minister. He is not afraid of 
being caught and bridled for service. He is 
kind and gentle; the children can wallow on his 
lap, climb upon his shoulders, comb his hair, pull 
his ears and beard with impunity. He loves 
the children and is kind to all rich and poor, is 
not a respecter of persons among his Father's 
family. 

The horse is easily irritated and is revengeful ; 
but the ass is slow to anger his forbearence is 
great. So with the true minister. He governs 
his tempers and passions, and is slow to avenge 
an adversary, without it is the devil. He re- 
members vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the 
Lord. 

The horse is a proud, vain animal — carries a 



Fools for Christ. ly 

high head and is lofty in his demeanor; but the 
asse's head is bowed down and his appearance 
is humble, so is the true. minister. Like his Lord 
and Master he is meek and humble, has a lowly 
contrite heart and his head is bowed down in 
meditation and devotion. 

The horse is restless and impatient, champs 
his bit, paws and capers, does not want to abide 
the will of his master ; but the ass is quiet, patient 
and submissive. So is the true minister of 
Christ. He is quiet in his duties, patient in trials, 
temptations and afflictions, is perfectly re- 
signed to the will of his Master. 

The horse's mouth must be held in with bit 
and bridle ; but with an old tow rope thrown over 
the neck of the submissive ass, his kind master 
can lead him through rich vallies of tempting 
grass and clover, and up steep hills and over 
rugged mountains ; and when he comes to little 
narrow bridges of nature's forming, which span 
deep precipices over which he cannot walk him- 
self, all he has to do is to mount the back of his 
faithful sure-footed ass, close his eyes and he 
safely bears him over. So the true minister is 
easily led by the spirit of God through tempting 
vallies of glittering wealth, up and over the high 
hills, and bleak mountains, of trial and adversity, 
and duty, and when he reaches places that are so 
narrow and difficult, that he cannot walk him- 
self, God sends him a horse or an ass on which 
he mounts, and rides safely over. Witness 
Luther, riding out of the city of Augsberg, on a 
horse without bridle or saddle, leaving thousands 
of enemies behind; who by night were vainly 



i- 



i8 Foots for Christ, 

plotting his destruction. I will instruct thee, and 
teach thee the way thou shalt go, I will guide 
thee with mine eye. As many as are led by the 
spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

Are the horse and ass naturally tame, and 
destitute of everything that would likely cause 
them to be excessively stubborn and ambitious? 
They are not. To make them submissive and 
gentle was it necessary to domesticate them, and 
with knife to castrate them. So the minister 
must be tutored by the church and th^ carnal 
mind, as seed of sin must be cut out by spiritual 
circumcision. They are circumcised with the 
circumcision made without hands, in putting off 
the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumci- 
sion of Christ. 

These animals are both white and this denotes 
the moral purity of the Christian ministry. 
Some horses are nearly white ; but a white ass 
is the whitest of all animals. So in this respect 
he is the proper emblem of the Christian ministry. 
The true minister is morally white. Naturally 
so, no — he is washed — self washed, yes. " O 
Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness 
that thou mayest be sound ; how long shall thy 
vain thoughts lodge within thee. Wash ye, make 
you clean, put away the evil of your doings." 
True ministers have done this, they are self 
washed. But are they self washed only, and 
clean every whit? No. Those preachers who 
are self washed only are the horses and they are 
not clean.. It requires more than an ordinary 
process of washing to remove the dark spots 
and blackness of skin produced by moral corrup- 



Foots for Christ. 19 

tioti. Nothing but a divine washing will accom- 
plish this end. Jesus is like a refiners fire and 
like fullers soap, and he said to Peter : " if I wash 
thee not thou hast no part nor lot with me. Peter 
saith unto him, Lord not my feet only but also 
my hands and my head. Perhaps this will do 
for the outside; but it is not enough. Wash 
me, but not my feet alone, my head, my hands, 
my heart, wash me every whit. We need to be 
washed all over and inside too. Washed with 
what, not with water only; but also with the 
blood of Jesus Christ which cleanseth from all 
sin. Come now and let us reason together saith 
the Lord ; for though your sins be as scarlet they 
shall be as snow and though they be red like 
crimson they shall be as wool. What God 
washes is washed — what God cleanseth is 
cleansed. Purge me with his hissop and I shall 
be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than 
snow. Such is the process of moral cleansing 
God has provided, for man and to which the 
true minister appeals, applies, and to which he 
subjects himself for the holy spirit to apply, and 
by so doing he is cleansed from sin and the 
kingdom of Jesus is established within which 
regulates the words, thoughts, actions and 
general deportment of the man of God. So 
that he shuns that which is evil, cleaves to that 
which is good, and walks as Christ walked. 

The ass has much more courage than the horse. 
The horses eye and ambitious appearance in- 
dicate bravery; but he is very timid, will scare 
at a bird or rattle, and dash off his rider; but 
the ass will not notice these trifles. So with the 



20 Fools for Christ. 

devoted minister — he has true moral courage — 
fears neither men or devils, is not afraid that 
preaching the truth will destroy the church. 
He does not fear men, nor devils, nor any of 
their schemes, and plots, enough to keep him 
from preaching the truth as it is in Jesus. Preach 
and defend the Gospel he will, despite all opposi- 
tion. His face is set like a flint — he saith not 
I am a child — " he is going to all to whom he 
is sent, and whatever God commands he speaks. 
His loins are girded with truth and righteousness, 
and God has made him a defensive city, an 
iron pillow, brazen walls against the whole house 
of wickedness, against kings, princes and priests. 
They shall fight but they shall not prevail ; for 
I am with them saith the Lord to deliver them, 
and thou shalt break up, pull down and destroy 
the kingdom of Satan, and plant and build up 
the kingdom, of Jesus, and none dare hinder or 
make thee afraid. While the minister of Christ 
is not boastful, or defiant, yet he is a man of 
unflinching intergrity, and true moral courage. 
The capacity of the ass for endurance is much 
greater than that of the horse. It is true the 
horse appears to be the larger and stronger ; but 
it is not so in fact. The ass's flesh, bones, muscles 
are much firmer, and harder than the horse's, 
and his bowels are not so large — less corn, and 
fodder grass and gas, in him, and he is much 
heavier than he looks to be. Your horse is a 
fine size — sixteen hands high, well muscled and 
in good order, put him on the scale and I will 
weigh mine ass against him. Your horse tips 
the scale at a thousand pounds you say — plenty 



Fools for Christ. 21 

large for a charger — were he heavier he would 
probably be clumsy and not near so fleet. Now 
weigh the ass which is the same height, but does 
not look near so large. He tips the scale at 
fifteen hundred pounds. So it is with the true 
minister, he does not look large, is not puffed up 
with bigotry and presumption; but when his 
moral weight is ascertained he is much heavier 
than those of vain ambition. And he is much 
cheaper too, because his belly is not swelled up 
with the gangrene of covetousness. Though 
they seem weak, yet they are strong. They 
wait upon the Lord and renew their strength day 
by day — grow stronger and stronger, and become 
moral giants in the church of God. Issachar is 
a strong ass couching down between two bur- 
dens. And he saw that rest was good, and the 
land that it was pleasant; and he bowed his 
shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto 
tribute. 

The horse abhors a burden, it is difficult to 
place it upon him ; but the ass is submissive, will 
permit heavy burdens placed upon his back, and 
will carry them without murmuring. The true 
minister, like the ass is a burden bearer. He has 
on Christ's yoke — is burdened with responsi- 
bility — with the care of souls, and the churches ; 
he is burdened with study, with spiritual meat 
and drink, for the people — the glory of the 
heavens the majesty of God and the weight ot 
the divine hand presses upon him. He is a great 
burden bearer; no wonder his shoulders are 
stooped and his head bowed down. 

The ass is not adapted to the purpose of 



22 Fools for Christ. 

cavalary — hence he has not been used much 
in carnal war- fare; but he has borne many 
precious things; spices, balm, wine, food, and 
clothing to the army. So the ministers of Jesus 
Christ bears the precious treasure of the Gospel, 
to the army to cheer the soldiers, with the blessed 
hope of immortality, and to assure them that 
though they fall, they shall rise again, and be 
incorruptible if they are only true to Jesus. Wit- 
ness McFerrin, Kelley, and many others both 
north and south following the armies, bearing 
the precious truths of the Gospel — imparting 
spiritual food to the sick, wounded and dying, as 
well as the living. 

The horse is vicious — fights his own species 
hard ; but the asses are agreeable among them- 
selves, and are hard to enrage; but when they 
do fight it is awful — they kick and bite and paw 
as nothing, but an ass can. 

And there is nothing a jackass hates so much 
as he does a stud-horse. His scent and appear- 
ance fill him with rage, and if he can get access 
to him, he pounces upon him with fury, and 
pounds him in the dust. So with the true Chris- 
tian ministers — they are peaceable among faith- 
ful brethren ; but they cannot endure a false 
preacher — they will pounce upon them when- 
ever they come into their presence — kick 
them with feet shod with gospel steel and hew 
them with the sword of the spirit, and pound 
them in the dust. Witness the reformers of the 
sixteenth century, in their contest with the Pope 
of Rome and all his greedy, ill-bred horses. 
They neighed, capered and kicked, and pawed 



Fools for Christ. 23 

with the spirit of the devil; but alas for them, 
the cup of their iniquity was full and they had 
to drink it under its intoxicating influences, they 
stumbled and fell and were pawed in the dust, 
by a few faithful unswerving asses. 

The bray of the ass is a much better model of 
ministerial eloquence than the trifling whinny 
of the horse. Much can be learned from the 
bray of the ass, and we cheerfully and sincerely 
open the question. Paul in the fourteenth chap- 
ter of his letter to the Corinthians gives us a 
good lesson on the subject of true ministerial 
eloquence, in which he says : " There are it may 
be so many voices in the world and none of them 
is without signification. Therefore if I know 
not the meaning of the voice I shall be unto him 
that speaketh a barbarian, and he shall be a bar- 
barian unto me." Let us give attention to the 
voice of the ass, and if we cannot fully under- 
stand his speech, maybe we can learn some good 
lesson from it and thereby demonstrate that we 
are not utter barbarians to each other. 

In the first place we note that it is the most 
peculiar voice in the world ; and we further state 
without jest or irreverence ; but in Godly sin- 
cerity and truth, that if the Trinity is symbolised 
or represented in the voice of any animal, it !s 
in the voice of the ass. If you will pay atten- 
tion to it you will discover that there are three 
cadences or notes in it, and three only; hence 
in this particular it is a trinity. And as it re- 
quires all of these cadences or notes to consti- 
tute one bray of the ass it is a trinity in unity. 
Now if anti-trinitaries would study the bray of 



24 Fools for Christ. 

the ass a little perhaps they would be influenced to 
believe this scripture. There are three that bear 
record in heaven — the Father the World and 
the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one. While 
those who question the unity of purpose in the 
trinity might be constrained to believe this testi- 
mony. There are three that bear witness in the 
earth, the spirit and the water, and the blood; 
and these three agree in one. 

The whinny of the horse is light, trifling, and 
is expressive of levity ; but the bray of the ass 
is positive, firm, expressive of gravity and so- 
briety. Thus we may judge a true minister. His 
voice is an index to his mind and heart. Out of 
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
Fear, earnestness, fervency, anxiety, zeal, love, 
joy and gratitude are all expressed by the natural 
changes and intonations of the voice. 

There is another fact about the bray of the 
ass worthy of consideration, his notes are clear 
and distinct. A rule that should be observed and 
practiced by all ministers. Paul emphasizes this 
point. Even things without life, giving sound, 
whether pipe or harp except they give a distinc- 
tion in the sound, how shall it be known what 
is piped or harped. For if the trumpet give an 
uncertain sound who shall prepare himself unto 
the battle. Ministers serve as the mouth of God, 
and should give no uncertain sound. They 
should speak his word distinctly. If they mix 
and mingle their words together who can under- 
stand them. 

Again some preachers think they are doing 
no good without their tongues are rattling along 



Fools for Christ. 25 

like a train running away. This is another fault. 
It is better to speak too slow than too fast : pro- 
vided what you say is worth hearing; both ex- 
tremes should be avoided ; so learn another lesson 
from the ass — he takes time to bray — does not 
crowd his notes together, neither does he worry 
you with slowness and lifelessness in his delivery. 

Again the ass does not trouble you with light 
foolish noise and prattle — does not bray often; 
but when he brays he brays. In the first place 
he takes a long full inspiration — gets his lungs 
and bowels full of air — his whole system is now 
charged with its electric powers — he brays deep 
in his chest, every muscle and nerve in him is 
agitated to the highest point and he pours forth 
his voice in most eloquent strains, he fills the 
hollows and vallies with his wonderful roar, and 
the swelling tremulous sound echoes among the 
hills and is heard afar. So the true minister 
breathes deep the spirit of grace and light and 
life, gets his whole system, body, mind and soul 
under its divine influences, his nerves are 
wrought up to the highest tension and he 
preaches in earnest with all the power he can 
command ; and though his voice may be weak ; 
and in comparison with the voice of the ass in- 
significant; yet he is much farther heard, be- 
cause people come from the hills, mountains, 
valleys and plains, both far and near, to hear the 
Gospel preached by the humble devoted servant 
of Christ. 

The ass is reckoned ignoble. In this respect 
he is a suitable symbol of the ministry. Was 
not Christ the chief preacher, so esteemed in 



26 Fools for Christ. 

the world. " He was despised and rejected of 
men ; a man of sorrows and acquainted with 
grief; and we hid as it were our faces from 
him. He was despised and we esteemed him 
not." " The great councilor, the prince of 
peace," was rejected by the world He came 
to save, He came to His own and His own re- 
ceived him not. Though He was of the highest 
order and rank, He humbled himself and be- 
came meek and lowly and condescended to the 
lowest plain of humanity therefore He was 
despised by the vain, ambitious, and worldly, and 
so were the apostles. 

Now we think we have drawn a good lesson 
from the ass ; and we hope you are convinced 
that of all animals in the world he is the most 
suitable symbol of the Christian ministry. 



Fools for Christ. 27 



CHAPTER III. 

A trial and a discussion between horse, ass and 
mule as to which is the proper symbol of the 
Christian ministry. 

Dear children of the church and Sunday- 
school. The ponies have heard of the story of 
the mule and are highly displeased with it, and 
have had a consultation relative to the matter 
and have preferred charges against the mule, 
intend to bring him to trial, and if possible con- 
vict him of falsehood, prove that he is not a 
proper svmbc 1 of the christian ministry and de- 
prive him of any relation to the church. 

This trial is to be held at Lebanon, Limestone 
County of Alabama, where the mule was raised. 
He is glad of this because he has many friends 
there who have known him all his life and it 
will not be difficult for him to prove that he 
would kick when a colt. 

While these ponies are not distinguished for 
their veracity and fidelity, and are foolish con- 
cerning spiritual things ; yet in the things of this 
world they are wiser than the children of light. 
Accordingly when they held their consultation 
they selected the magnificient white horse spoken 
of in the book of Revelation, to represent them 
in the trial. In a controversy where so much 



28 Fools {or Christ. 

is involved the mule concluded that it would be 
expedient for him to call in an assistant; so he 
has procured the services of his noble sire, the 
ass as his counselor. He is well pleased with 
this arrangement; because he claims to be 
the most suitable symbol of the christian ministry 
himself and this will afford him an opportunity 
to make some speeches in his own favor. 

These distinguished characters have had a 
consultation concerning" arrangements for the 
trial and have selected the following as judges: 
namely ; Judges Ox, Camel, and Judge Elephant. 
All of whom are distinguished in the Bible 
for their sagacity, firmness and impartiality and 
from whose decision there is no appeal. 

Now young friends you may be amused at the 
idea of beasts sitting around thrones as judges ; 
but if you will turn to the fourth chapter of the 
book of Revelations, you will learn that charac- 
ters likened unto beasts are seated round about 
a very grand thron^. So it is not out of order 
for us to recognize the presence of beasts about 
a throne serving as judges. And as the animals 
which are to engage in this discussion and trial 
are represented as reading and writing, we will 
presume that they have faces, hands and tongues 
like men ; and they will go straight forward as 
the spirit leads them. 



Fools for Christ. 29 



CHAPTER IV. 

Now the day appointed for the trial has ar- 
rived. What a gathering at Lebanon ; whither 
the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord unto the 
testimony of Israel — to give thanks unto the 
Lord ; for there are set thrones of judgment, 
thrones of the house of David : But here we re- 
mark that in olden times none but judges occu- 
pied these thrones and God was recognized as 
the only king over them. But in the course of 
time the Jews became very faithless and wicked 
and requested Samuel, their judge to ask the 
Lord to give them a king like other nations. 
This displeased the Lord and he gave them a 
king in his wrath. Ever since kings have ruled 
over most of the thrones in the house of the Lord. 
Hence we will recognize a goat on the throne 
above these distinguished judges and he will act 
as Moderator during the trial and discussion. 

This may seem a little novel to you, children, 
but if you will turn to the eighth chapter of the 
book of Daniel you will learn that Darius, king 
of Media and Persia was likened unto a ram, 
having two horns ; and the two horns were high ; 
but one was higher than the other, and the higher 
came up last; and this ram pushed westward, 
northward and southward ; so that no beast might 
stand before him, neither was there any that 



30 Pooh for Christ 

could deliver out of his hand ; but he did accord- 
ing to his will, and became great. You will also 
learn that Alexander king of Grecia is likened 
unto a he goat coming from the west, on the face 
of the whole earth, and he came with such speed 
and violence that he touched not the earth; and 
he ran unto the ram in the fury of his power, 
and he smote the ram, and brake his two horns ; 
and cast him down to the ground and stamped 
upon him; and there was none that could de- 
liver the ram out of his hand; therefore the he 
goat with one horn waxed very great. So we 
will recognize a goat on the throne above these 
judges, and this king will act as Moderator dur- 
ing the trial and discussion. 

The mule in these stories represents king 
David's, on which Solomon rode on the day of 
his coronation. The ass represents the one on 
which Abraham rode when he went to offer 
Isaac his son as a sacrifice. The horse represents 
the one spoken of in the book of Revelation. 

The horse tand ass are both white. White be- 
ing an emblem of purity in the christian minis- 
try. The mule is a light iron gray ; because he 
has one-third vain ambition, two-thirds lauable. 
The pony which represents one of Jehue's, 
first opponent is a dark dapple gray ; because he 
has two-thirds vain ambition, one-third laudable. 
This grading has reference to the different de- 
grees of piety in the Christian ministry and the 
motive that prompt them in their work. 

The tribes have now assembled at Lebanon — 
the judges have taken their seats — the king is on 
his throne, universal silence prevails, and the king 



Pools for Christ $t 

annOimces that the trial of the mule has been de- 
ferred, and orders the ass to open the discussion 
of the question as to which is the most suitable 
symbol of the christian ministry. 



32 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER V. 

The asses speech. 

Honorable Judges and most exalted Sover- 
eign : as you are aware progressive development 
is a fundamental law of nature and of late has 
become the motto of all civilized nations. Re- 
cently science and art in obedience to this law 
and order have moved forward and upward 
with wonderful rapidity. Old theories have been 
exploded and new ones developed o the ever in- 
creasing light that shines upon the nations 
and manifests those truths that were once 
shrouded in darkness. Especially is this true 
relative to the development of the science of 
theology, and the mysteries by the Holy Book. 
Daily and hourly things new are being exhumed 
from the archives of the sacred oracles. We 
have an example of this truth in the question 
under consideration, and in the presence of this 
respectable audience. For ages and generations 
that magnificent white horse of Revelation mov- 
ing with such speed and grandure, mounted by 
a distinguished rider having a bow in his hand 
and receiving a crown for his merit has been 
regarded as a symbol of the Christian ministry 
going forth from conquest to conquest subduing 



Fools for Christ 33 

the world to Christ; and the truth of this as- 
sumption was never questioned till recently; nor 
agitated until after much patient thought and 
investigation to the contrary. Now near the 
close of the nineteenth century of the Christian 
era, we have met to discuss the merits of the 
question ; and my proposition which, I affirm, 
in all sincerity, and propose sustaining by fair 
scriptural argument is: That the ass, not the 
white horse of Revelation, is the most suitable 
symbol of the Christian ministry. 

You are aware that what is called the internal 
evidence of this proposition has been discussed; 
and it only devolves upon your humble speaker 
to produce the collateral, which we propose do- 
ing with the greatest pleasure. 

Some honor is attached to age and antiquity. 
Who can suppress involuntary reverance for 
the hoary mountains on account of their great 
antiquity. For ages unknown they have stood 
as silent sentinels and speechless monuments of 
the great architect of the universe. The spirit 
of awe and reverence involuntarily steals over 
us when we come into their presence: Hence in 
this introduction we do not think it out of order 
for us to allude to the fact that we were made on 
the fifth day of creation, and are classed among 
the primordial creatures of God. This fact 
alone should produce some respect for my humble 
tribe, as we plod our way in peace down through 
the long weary ages: Especially as God com- 
mended us in the early dawn of our existence 
when he surveyed all his works and recognized 
the fact that " It was very good." 



34 Fools for Christ. 

While this is an age of progress, the progres- 
sion is sometimes backward. Accordingly we 
have recently been designated ignoble creatures. 
This we resent as a malicious slander; and a 
vile reproach, and though men disesteem us ; 
yet we pledge ourselves to prove in this dis- 
cussion that the great God of Heaven has hon- 
ored us more highly than he has all the rest of 
the beasts of the field and this will constitute 
a strong argument in favor of the position that 
the ass is the proper symbol of the ministry. 

In the court of Heaven, special legislation 
was made for the ass. In olden times if the 
enemy of a man met his ass going astray he was 
required by law to carry him back to his owner. 
If found lying under a burden he was required 
to help him ; if fallen into a pit he is to be helped 
out. He is according to the law of Moses not 
to be worked with the stupid ox ; and is entitled 
to the rest of the Sabbath. 

Under the law of Moses the ass was a subject 
of redemption ; the circumstances of which are 
the following: Ages ago the Israelites were 
in bondage to the Egyptians who placed task- 
masters over them and treated them cruelly : So 
the Lord determined to deliver them by the hands 
of Moses and Aaron. But Pharaoh the king of 
Egypt would not consent for them to go out of 
his country. Hence the Lord sent many plagues 
upon the Egyptians. The last of which was 
the destruction of the first born of Egypt by an 
angel. But this angel passed over the children 
of Israel and did not destroy any of them. In 
commemoration of this event all the first born 



Fools for Christ. 35 

of man and beast were sanctified to the Lord — 
they were the Lord's. But if a man desired to 
keep a young ass, he had the privilege of redeem- 
ing it with a lamb. If not redeemed its neck 
was to be broken. And that is what should be 
done, with these ignorant, worthless ponies, and 
vain presumptuous horses in the ministry. They 
should have their ecclesiastical necks broken, 
and be buried with the burial of an ass as was 
Jehoiakim, king of Israel, concerning whom the 
Lord said : " Thou shalt not lament for him 
saying. Ah my brother, Ah sister ; they shall not 
lament for him saying. Ah Lord, or Ah his 
glory. He shall be buried with the burial of an 
ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of 
Jerusalem ; where his dead body should be ex- 
posed to the heat of the sun by day and the frost 
by night. 

Gracious Sovereign and honorable judges we 
call attention to the ass as a symbol. Symbolic 
language has been in use from remote ages. 
The earliest generations employed symbols as 
a forcible means of expressing thought. The 
empire of nature was traversed by the eye in 
quest of symbols for this purpose ; and the ani- 
mate and inanimate — birds and beast, sun, moon 
and stars, were used to embellish and communi- 
cate thought and purpose. In olden times the 
ass as well as the lion and wolf was employed 
for this purpose. When Jacob the patriarch 
and father of the twelve tribes of Israel had be- 
come old, and the years of his pilgrimage were 
drawing to a close in Egypt, he called his twelve 
sons around his couch, and pronounced a pro- 



36 Foots for Christ. 

phetic blessing upon them in general; and spe- 
cially. In this farewell blessing he speaks of the 
ass, and employs him as a symbol. To Judah he 
said, " Thou art he whom thy brethren shall 
praise; thy hand shall be in the neck of thine 
enemies; thy father's children shall fall down 
before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp ; from the 
prey my son thou art gone up ; he stopped 
down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion ; 
who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall 
not depart fro Judah nor a law giver from 
between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him 
shall the gathering of the people be. Binding 
his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto 
the choice vine ; he washed his garments in 
wine, and his clothes in the blood of the grapes. 
You cannot fail to note that this blessing antici- 
pates the coming: of Christ and that it fore- 
shadows many things that occurred in his event- 
ful ife. 

Isachar is a strong ass, couching down be- 
tween two burdens ; and he saw that rest was 
good, and the land that it was pleasant ; and he 
bowed his shoulder to bear and became a 
servant unto tribute. How forcibly this symbol- 
izes the ministry. They are under two great 
burdens ; the burden of moral obligation and 
responsibility which God imposes upon them, 
and the burthen and care of the churches. But 
they like the ass, couch down and patiently bear 
it and realize that rest would be good ; and 
anticipate the rest of the better land ; and are 
faithful servants as was their Lord unto tribute. 

Jn olden times the ass symbolized the peace 



Fools for Christ. 37 

and prosperity that was realized from obedience 
to the true God. When the children of Israel 
hearkened unto their judges, refrained from 
idolatry and obeyed the Lord, they were abun- 
dantly blessed, and were prosperous ; and the 
judges and their sons could afford to ride on 
asses. There is something significant in the 
statement; Jair, a Geleadite judged Israel twenty 
and two years ; and he had thirty sons that rode 
on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities 
called Havoth — jair unto this day. And Abdon 
the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite judged Israel ; 
and he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that 
rode on three-score and ten ass colts ; and he 
judged Israel eight years. 

The triumphant song of Deborah over the 
conquest of the host of Sisua is expressive of 
the pleasant order of circumstances with which 
the ass is associated. My heart is toward the 
governors of Israel that offered themselves will- 
ingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord. 
Speak ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit 
in judgment, and walk by the way. They that 
are delivered from the noise of archers in the 
place of drawing water, then shall they rehearse 
the righteous acts of the Lord, even the righteous 
acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in 
Israel ; then shall the people of the Lord go 
down to the gates. They had broken the rod of 
the oppressor, turned from their idols they re- 
joice in liberty and safety; judges can ride un- 
disturbed on white asses — and meditate on the 
righteous acts of the Lord and the welfare of the 
people — and they can dwell in villages, walk 



38 Fools for Christ. 

upon the highway and go to the gates and water- 
ing places in safety. Blessed liberty. 

These facts enable us to appreciate the proph- 
ecy of Zachariah relative to the manner of 
Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Rejoice greatly, 
O daughter of Zion ; shout, O daughter of Jeru- 
salem ; behold, thy King cometli unto thee ; he 
is just and having salvation; lowly and riding 
upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. 

We close this speech by calling attention to the 
fact that according to prophecy the ass is ever 
to be associated with the peaceable kingdom of 
Christ, and that he is to be a great blessing to his 
subjects. Isiah anticipated a general pouring 
out of the spirit of God and the consequent ex- 
tension of Mesiah's kingdom and said, blessed 
are ye that sow beside all waters that send forth 
thither the feet of the ox and ass. 



Fools for Christ. 39 



CHAPTER VI. 

Horses reply most excellent judges and sover- 
eign. We have examined the scriptures closely 
relative to the history and disposition of the ass ; 
and we are convinced that of all animals, he is the 
poorest symbol of the Christian ministry. His 
nature, disposition and habits are just the op- 
posite of what a minister of the gospel should 
be. In his native state ; he is without any restraint 
— an unscrupulous, lawless animal ; and is exceed- 
ingly fond of liberty ; and is very selfish, and un- 
social. The patriarch Job gives us a faithful 
description of this animal in his undomesticated 
state. Who hath sent out the ass free? or who 
hath loosed the bands of the ass? Whose house 
I have made in the wilderness. He scorneth 
the multitude of the city; neither regardeth he 
the crying of the driver. The range of the moun- 
tains is his pasture ; and he searcheth after every 
green thing. He resorteth to places that have 
been cursed of God, on account of the wicked- 
ness of the people — desolate, barren wastes. This 
is evident from a passage in the prophecy of 
Isiah upon the land of my people shall come up 
thorns and briers ; yea, upon all the houses of 
joy in the joyous city. Because the palaces snail 
be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be 
left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for- 
ever ; a joy of asses, a pasture of flocks. 



40 Fools for Christ. 

The ass, we grant, would be a good symbol of 
a fallen Apostate minister, who had been for- 
saken of God and cast off as was Nebuchad- 
nezzar ; whose heart was lifted up, his mind 
hardened in pride ; for which he was deposed 
from his kingly throne ; and his glory taken from 
him. And he was driven from the sons of men ; 
and his heart was made like the beast, and his 
dwelling was with the asses ; and he did eat grass 
like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of 
heaven ; till he knew that the most high God 
ruled in the kingdoms of men and that he ap- 
pointeth over them whomsoever he will. 

In the scripture a dreadful devastating army is 
likened to asses. Their flesh is as the flesh of 
asses. Yes responded the ass that might be 
of some benefit to your cause — if it were not said 
in the same verse that their offspring is as the 
offspring of horses. 

The ass is used to represent the intractible 
nature of man ; who makes a great ado about 
knowledge, and boasts of his wisdom; whose 
folly Jehovah rebukes by the mouth of the 
prophet. Vain man would be wise though he be 
borne like an ass's colt. 

The lawless ass is used to illustrate the workers 
of iniquity who remove landmarks, violently 
take away flocks from their owners, deprive the 
fatherless of their beasts; and take away the 
widow's ox for a pledge, turn the needy out of 
the way, and cause the poor to hide themselves ; 
together they rise betimes for a prey, the wilder- 
ness yieldeth food for their children. Yes, sir, 
the ass illustrates a band of outlaws who skulk 



Fools for Christ. 41 

at night, rob and murder; alarm innocent sleep- 
ers, chase them from their homes and cause them 
to lodge without clothing and take away the 
sheaf from the hungry ; and cause them to go 
naked in the cold and embrace rocks for want of 
shelter. 

Again the lawless ass is used to illustrate the 
Israelites in the worship of idols. How canst 
thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone 
after Baalam? See thy way in the valley, know 
what thou hast done ; thou are a swift dromedary 
traversing her way. An ass used to the wilder- 
ness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; 
in her occasion who can turn her away ; all they 
that seek her will not weary themselves ; in her 
month they shall find her. 

Finally the ass is used to illustrate the Assyrian 
power — a wicked, selfish, idolatrous nation, with 
which the Israelites in their apostacy identified 
themselves. Israel is swallowed up ; now shall 
they be among the eGntiles as a vessel wherein 
is no pleasure. For they are gone up to Assyria 
an ass alone by himself; Ephraim hath hired 
lovers. In doing this they sowed the wind and 
God said they should reap the whirlwind; what- 
soever a man soweth that shall he also reap. 

Such, most honorable judges are the characters 
the ass is used to illustrate ; and is it not astonish- 
ing that my worthy friend and opponent will con- 
tend that such an ignoble lawless, wreckless 
animal, is the proper symbol of the Christian 
ministry. Be astonished, O ye heavens at this, 
be ye horribly afraid. 



42 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER VII. 

ass's rejoinder. 

Honorable judges and sovereign, My friend 
Mr. Horse finished his speech with a very 
appropriate exclamation if it had been prop- 
erly applied. Not only the heavens : but the 
earth ought to be astonished, fear and trem- 
ble at his remorseless wholesale perversion of 
the Scriptures. But we presume it will not 
as this is so common in our day. As it was in the 
days of ancient Rome, so it is now among many. 
The end they say justifies the means be they ever 
so false and corrupt. Men will ever pervert the 
Scriptures to sustain their peculiar dogmas. If 
you will turn to the passage my friend quoted 
you will discover that in every instance except 
one it was a wild ass. " The horse interrupts by 
saying he used the term undomesticated ass." 
Yes, but that does not cover the ground — for it 
implies that we are of the same tribe which is 
false ; for we are of a different tribe, and claim 
no relation with them whatever. Our form, 
habits and disposition are altogether different 
and we denounce his speach as a miserable cari- 
cature and perversion of the Holy Scripture 
without it should be applied to that class of min- 
isters we are opposing which he himself repre- 



Fools for Christ. 43 

sents. Indeed we grant that the wild ass is a fine 
similtude of false ministers who range over the 
mountains and valleys in search of something 
green, especially greenbacks, and who in this 
respect are not as consistent as the wild ass, for 
he does not bray when he has a sufficiency of 
provender but the false preacher never gets 
enough to satisfy his covetous desires and the 
eternal cry is give, give, give, and he snuffs the 
air and defies restraints. The wild ass is a 
symbol of the wicked, lawless and coveteous ; and 
notwithstanding he seems to be a worthless ani- 
mal yet we notice that God has provided for his 
necessities in common with other beasts of the 
field. He sendeth the springs into the valleys 
which run among the hills. They give drink to 
every beast of the field ; the wild asses quench 
their thirst. And he has made ample provision 
for the spiritual necessities of the wicked. There 
is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city 
of God ; the Holy place of the Tabernacles of the 
Most High. This river abounds with the water 
of life, and the streams that issue from it run in 
every direction through God's moral vineyard and 
the wicked are invited to come and drink and live 
forever. Said Christ : whosoever drinketh of the 
water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but 
the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a 
well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

See from the Rocks a fountain rise 
For you in living streams it rolls 
Money ye need not bring nor price 
Ye labouring burdened sin sick souls. 



44 Fools for Christ. 

ASSES SPEECH NO. B. 

Honorable judges and great sovereign: You 
are familiar with the adage — A man is known by 
the company he keeps, by the same rule you will 
please judge the ass and we have but little doubt 
that you will render verdict accordinly. From 
the Scriptures we learn that the ass was a favorite 
in ancient Zion in early ages he was associated 
with patriachs and prophets. 

We now speak of Job and of our association 
with him. Doubtless he was one of the most 
ancient patriarchs of our association with Abra- 
ham. This distinguished partriarch rode upon 
the back of an ass when he went to offer 
Isaac as a sacrifice ; and this offering was typical 
of the sacrifice Christ was to make for the sins 
of the world. 

We call attention to our association with Jacob 
— a grandson of Abraham and a son of Isaac; 
and Joseph one of the twelve sons of Jacob. 

With the prophet Balaam, in which connection 
we learn that God once endowed a poor timed 
she ass with the power of articulate speech and 
employed her as an humble agent to reprove an 
erring prophet; and we use this as an argument 
in favor of the position : That the ass is the most 
suitable symbol of the Christian ministry. If 
any think this story incredible let them think of 
the wisdom and power of him who has made so 
many tongues and so many voices and then ask 
themselves if all things are not possible with such 
a God as our God ; surely he can at his own will 
constrain a poor ass to speak with man's voice. 




Am I not thine Ass?' 



Pools for Christ 45 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE HORSE'S REPLY. 

Honorable sovereign and judges, my dis- 
tinguished opponent boasts of his association with 
patriarchs and prophets as if their wisdom and 
righteousness were imputed to him so that he is 
entitled to great honor and distinction and that 
he alone is the only appropriate symbol of the 
Christian ministry. As we might have expected 
he spoke of the virtue of his associates ; but 
omitted their vices to which we now refer. Job 
was a most excellent character and we have no 
evidence more convincing of this fact than his 
own acknowledgment of his imperfections. 
When the Almighty interrogated Job relative 
to knowledge and virtue — Job did not dispute 
aforetime with him — simply answered : " Behold 
I am vile ; what shall I answer thee. I will lay 
my hand upon my mouth. What about Abraham 
was he perfect. When entering into Egypt did 
not the beauty of his wife cause him to fear that 
someone would kill him for her, and did he not 
feign that she was his sister and thus encouraged 
Pharaoh to take her into his own house; for 
which plagues were sent upon him and provoked 
the king to rebuke Abram sharply. Isaac was 
guilty of the same offence — for the same reason 



46 Fools for Christ. 

where he was in the land of the Phillistines and 
was rebuked for his folly by Abimlech, king- of 
the Phillistines. And Jacob lied outright and 
obtained a blessing from his father in the name 
of his brother. And as Mr. Ass was associated 
with Jacob, he must have been with Esau also 
for he was a twin brother of Jacob and they were 
reared up together. Was Esau faultless? He 
not only deposed his birthright and sold it, but 
he hated his brother Jacob and purposed killing 
him; to prevent which Jacob left home till his 
anger subsided. 

He failed to speak of his association with the 
Karaites. They became dissatisfied with the 
ordinary service of the tabernacle to which they 
had been assigned according to divine instruction, 
and desired promotion to higher offices in this 
service ; and Harah Dathan and Abiram with 
two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly 
who were famous, men of renown in this great 
congregation conspired against Moses and 
Aaron complained of their lot, rebelled against 
Moses ; and accused him of exalting himself as a 
prince over them and they defied his authority 
and would not obey him. Moses, who was not 
only their leader; but their intercessor also was 
very wroth on account of their wickedness, and 
the anger of the Lord was kindled against them ; 
and caused the earth to open her mouth and swal- 
low up Karah, Dathan, Abriam and their wives 
and little ones, and all that appertained to them. 
And there came out a fire from the Lord and 
consumed the two hundred and fifty princes that 
were involved in the rebellion who offered in- 



Fools for Christ. 47 

cense. Next day the congregation murmured 
against Moses and Aaron and accused them of 
having killed the people of the Lord; and the 
Lord sent a plague among them, and fourteen 
thousand and seven hundred of these murmurers 
died almost instantly. Such was the fatal result 
of the wickedness of a few ambitious, envious 
men who aspired to a sacred office to which they 
were not appointed by divine authority. So you 
see Mr. Ass that your tribe has not always been 
associated with the best company. As an evi- 
dence of the fact that these Harseites had the 
right of property in some of your tribe we refer 
you to what Moses said to the Lord relative 
to your wicked masters : " Respect not their offer- 
ings; I have not taken one ass from them nor 
hurt one of them." 

My opponent spoke of his association with 
Balaam. Was Balaam a prophet indeed and in 
truth. He professed to have great respect for 
divine instigation, consulted the Lord that he 
might learn his will ; but his conduct toward those 
messengers who came for him the second time 
was not in accord with his pretences and causes 
us to doubt his sincerity. In his first interview 
with the Lord about the matter he was told not to 
go; why did he want to consult the Lord again 
on the subject? Simply because his will was 
perverse; he wanted to go and in order that his 
own desire might be gratified the Lord told him 
to go, with this restriction. " Only the word I 
say unto thee, that thou shalt speak." What 
ought Balaam to have done when the messengers 
of Balak reached his house the second time. He 



4$ Pools for Christ. 

should have dismissed them at once, and told 
them that if Balak had sent him his house full of 
silver and gold he would not go with them. But 
Balaam wanted to go ; and God told him to go. 

Again Balaam had seven altars on which he 
offered sacrifices the true prophets had but one. 
Balaam participated in the worship of the 
heathen which is forbidden bv the law and word 
of God. The true prophets willingly and cheer- 
fully blessed the people when it was meet to do 
so ; but the blessing of Balaam on Israel was con- 
strained. 

After he had gotten through with his inter- 
view with Balak he returned to his own country 
and counseled his people to seduce the Israelites 
to commit idolatry, and subject themselves to the 
displeasure of the Almighty. So they called the 
children of Israel to the sacrifice of their gods 
and they came, committed fornication, ate and 
bowed down with them, joined themselves unto 
Baalpear and the anger of the Lord was kindled 
against them ; and he sent a plague upon the 
people in which twenty and four thousand per- 
ished. 

Now that the children of Israel might be 
avenged. The Lord commanded Moses to smite 
the Midianites, and he sent an army of twelve 
thousand and slew all their males and their kings 
and took their women and little ones captives and 
took from them thousands of sheep, cattle and 
asses and destroyed their cities, and gathered 
much gold and silver. Such was the result of 
the evil council of this wayward prophet, who 



Fools for Christ. 49 

also perished in consequence of his own wicked- 
ness. 

Now should this man be regarded as a prophet 
of the Lord? Saint Peter classes him with the 
false prophets of olden times and warned the 
people against their pernicious doctrine and evil 
example — many of whom forsook the right way 
and went astray following Balaam the son of 
Basor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 
But was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumb ass 
speaking with man's voice forbade the madness 
of the prophet. 

He omitted the fact that he was associated 
with Saul, the first king of Israel and the suc- 
cessor of the Almighty in the kingship of all 
Israel, whose history you all know. 

So, Mr. Ass, you have not always been in the 
best company. 



50 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE ASS'S DEFENSE. 

Honorable king- and supreme judges. It is 
not in exact accord with the rules of debate bur 
by your permission I wish to correct my opponent 
in some statements he has made. I did inten- 
tionally pass over some incidents that occurred 
in the history of my tribe and failed to pay honor 
to some of the ancient worthies with whom we 
were associated. I did this to favor him, for if 
I had not done so he would have had no grounds 
whatever for a speech. But the fact that con- 
cerns me most is his statement relative to king 
Saul's ignominious death. It is true Saul had 
serious faults and made grave blunders and mis- 
takes ; but we do not consider that there was 
ignominy attached to his death. Certainly David 
did not think so if can judge from the beautiful 
ode that he wrote concerning his and his son's 
death. 

Now we gravely ask did Saul die ignomin- 
iously. He was brave and patriotic, loved his 
people and country, and shed his blood in their 
defence. Shame, shame even on a horse for in- 
sinuating that he died ignominiously, says king 
goat, your speech Mr. Ass is opportune. 



Fools for Christ. 51 



CHAPTER XIX. 

horse's speech. 

Horonerable king and supreme judges : For 
ages the white horse of the book of Revelation 
has been regarded by intelligent divines as a sym- 
bol of the Christian ministry. The truth of this 
assumption was never questioned till recently. A 
hand unknown to us — wrote an article entitled : 
The ass not the white horse of Revelation the 
proper symbol of the Christian ministry. Hence 
we have been called together to discuss this im- 
portant question and tr}' this silly mule — who is 
so presumptious as to contend that he is the most 
suitable symbol of those illustrious characters. 
As you are familiar with the circumstances that 
have brought us together — we will not repeat 
them, but at once proceed to discuss the great 
question. 

First we call attention to the antiquity of mv 
tribe. Our creation preceded mans, and in early 
ages we were dispersed among all nations. We 
speak of these circumstances to impress you 
with the great value of the horse and the high 
estimate in which he has been held among all 
nations. He has also an interesting biblical his- 
tory to which we call attention, to convince you 
that he is the most suitable symbol of the Chris- 



52 Fools for Christ. 

tian ministry. So much has been written in the 
Scriptures about my tribe that I shall not at- 
tempt to give our history in full and shall only 
speak of such circumstances as are most inter- 
esting, and have direct bearing on the subject 
under consideration. 

We came into existence in the early dawn of 
creation, and multiplied rapidly during the first 
sixteen hundred years of man's history. About 
the end of this period of time the wickedness of 
man became so great that God sent a great flood 
of waters upon the face of the inhabited part of 
the earth and destroyed all living creatures both 
men? except two of each kind, the male and his 
female that were saved in the Ark that God com- 
manded Noah to build for this purpose. In the 
days of the Apostles there were some people who 
did not believe that such an event ever occurred 
in the history of the world and even now there 
are many who are willingly ignorant of the fact 
that by the word of God the heavens were of old, 
and the earth standing some of it out of the 
water and some of it in the water, by which the 
rest of the world was overflowed with water 
perished. Forty days and forty nights it rained ; 
for the windows of heaven were open, all the 
fountains of the great deep were broken up — 
the waters prevailed upon the earth — all the high 
hills and the mountains were covered; and all 
things that had the breath of life died that moved 
upon the face of the earth. Was such a flood a 
physical impossibility ; by no means and God did 
not have to work a myracle to do it. Simul- 
taneous with the waters from the windows of 



Fools for Christ. 53 

heaven subterranean forces in the bowels of the 
earth heaved up the continent of Africa and 
forced the waters of the ocean over Asia and 
that continent was deluged by the ordinary forces 
of nature — Think of this ye who think that some- 
thing is too great for God to accomplish. 

After the flood our species multiplied exceed- 
ingly and in a few centuries we inhabited most 
all countries — we were in Egypt long before 
Joseph was carried thither, and this distinguished 
man took a fancy to us, rode in a chariot drawn 
by horses, and while he was ruler in Egypt he 
gave bread in exchange for horses, in the time of 
the famine in that land. By this means he pur- 
chased many horses for they were numerous in 
Egypt and the dearth lasted seven years. 

We call attention to our association with king 
Solomon. Concerning whom so much has been 
written yet the half has not been told, for there 
is no end to his encomiums and glory. King 
Solomon exceeded all the rest of the kings of the 
earth in wisdom and riches, and all the earth 
resorted to Solomon to hear the wisdom that God 
put into his heart. 

My tribe were associated with Obadiah — who 
was truly good — feared the Lord, in sincerity 
kept his word and was a great friend of true 
prophets ; with Elijah, Elisha, and the brave Jehu. 

Horses were once employed to carry a servant 
of God to his celestial home. One day Elijah 
and Elisha ; ancient prophets were walking to- 
gether conversing about sacred things, and be- 
hold there appeared chariots of fire and horses of 
fire and parted them asunder and Elijah went up 



54 Fools for Christ. 

by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elijah saw it 
and cried : my father, my father the chariots of 
Israel and the horsemen thereof and he saw 
him no more. 

Now Elisha succeeded Elijah in the prophetic 
office ; and he had quite an interesting experience 
with horses. The king of Syria was in war 
against Israel ; and his plots were disclosed to his 
detriment and he suspected some of his own sub- 
jects guilty of treason. But was informed that 
Elisha, the prophet of the Lord, revealed his 
secret counsels to the king of Israel. Being in- 
formed that Elisha was in Dothan ; he sent thither 
horses and chariots and a great host by night 
and they compassed the city. Early in the morn- 
ing the servant of the man of God discovered 
them and was seized with fear and cried, Alas, 
my master; how shall we do. Elisha answered 
fear not ; for they that be with us are more than 
they that be with them. In answer to the prayer 
of the prophet, the servant's eyes were opened so 
that he could discern the spiritual, and beheld 
the mountain was full of horses and chariots of 
fire round about Elisha. And by these the ene- 
mies of Elisha were smitten with blindness and 
they were led captive to Samaria. The king of 
Israel would have smitten them with sword ; but 
the good prophet would not suffer it; but fur- 
nished them with abundance of bread and water 
and they returned to their own master and 
troubled Israel no more. 

After this Benhadad, king of Syria gathered 
his host and besieged Samaria, and caused a 
great famine in that city. Gnawed by intolerable 



Fools for Christ. 5^ 

hunger, two women agreed to eat their own chil- 
by children, one was boiled and eaten — the other 
escaped by his mother hiding him. The Lord 
relieved the city after this manner. He caused 
the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots 
and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great 
host; and they thought the king of Israel had 
hired against them, the kings of the Hittites, 
and the kings of the Egyptians to come upon 
them ; so they arose and fled in the twilight, and 
left their tents, horses and asses, silver, gold, 
garments, and a great deal of provision and fled 
for life ; so next day a meausre of fine flour was 
sold for a shekel; and two measures of barley 
for a shekel according to the word of the Lord 
which had been declared by the prophet during 
the previous day. The Lord knoweth how to 
deliver his people, and he will do it though it 
require a miracle. 

The king of Egypt had some fine horses of per- 
fect symmetry — possibly white with long flowing 
manes and tails and Solomon compares the 
church, his love, to this company of horses in 
Pharaohs chariot. 

In olden times the horse was the idol of the 
east and was consecrated to the sun. This lumi- 
nary as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 
rejoicing as a strong man to run a race, his going 
forth is from the end of the heaven and his cir- 
cuit to the end of the earth. Among the ancients 
he was represented as riding in a chariot drawn 
by fleet horses performing his daily circuit from 
east to west around the world ; hence they made 



56 Fools for Christ. 

an image of the horse and dedicated it to the 
sun. 

Haman who was promoted to honor by his 
king, devised a plot by which to destroy the 
Jews who were in captivity. Having by false- 
hood, obtained the kings consent, he wrote let- 
ters by authority of the king and sent them 
into all the provinces that on a specified day 
the Persions were to massacre the Jews. Queen 
Esther, a Jewess, who was devoted to her peo- 
ple having knowledge of this plot prevailed on 
king Ahasuerus to revoke the decision and inform 
the Jews to defend themselves. Now they had 
only a short period of time in which to convey 
this intelligence to the distant provinces and save 
the Jews ; and the horse dromedary and mules on 
account of their speed were used in this emer- 
gency. And speed is important in the ministry — 
for the destroyer is among the nations. Mis- 
sionaries should hurry ; and fulfil the prophecy. 
Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall 
increase. 

In the Acts of the Apostles we have an account 
of horses drawing the chariot of a man of 
Ethiopia who had much authority under Queen 
Candace, having charge of all her treasures. He 
was a devout man and had been to Jerusalem to 
worship and was returning to his own country. 
Sitting in his chariot reading from the prophecy 
of Isaih, Phillip, one of the Apostles was near 
the road as he was passing through a desert. 
The Spirit said to Phillip ; go join thyself to this 
chariot; and he cjid so; and discovered that the 
man was reading prophecy concerning Christ, 



Fools for Christ. 57 

and Phillip asked him if he understood it. The 
Ethiopian confessed his need of an instructor 
and presuming that Phillip might enlighten him 
politely invited him to take a seat in his choriot, 
and while they rode together Phillip explained 
the prophecy and preached unto him Jesus. Now 
they came to water and the Ewnuch desiring bap- 
tism Phillip complied with his request, and when 
they came up out of the water — and the Spirit of 
the Lord conveyed the apostle away — the Ethi- 
opean saw him no more, and went on his way 
rejoicing. 

Horses were once used to deliver the apostle 
Paul from his enemies. He had been falsely 
accused of crime and was brought before a 
council to be examined. There were present 
both Pharisees and Sadusees who disagreed 
about doctrine, the Sadusees did not believe in 
the resurrection, nor in the existence of angels 
or spirits while the Pharisees believed both and 
approved of Paul's preaching hence there was 
a tumult between the Pharisees and Sadusees 
concerning Paul, and for fear that the apostle 
would be torn to pieces a certain captain ordered 
some soldiers to take Paul by force and carry 
him into a castle for safety. Some malicious 
Jews now bound themselves in an oath that they 
would not eat nor drink till they had killed Paul, 
and they devised a scheme for this purpose and 
were lying in wait to kill him. 

The chief captain of an host having been in- 
formed of this by a nephew of Paul gave orders 
for two hundred soldiers with spears and three 
score and ten horsemen to get ready and go 



58 Fools for Christ. 

and deliver Paul to Felix, the governor, and they 
carried with them beasts on which Paul rode, 
and thus they saved the great apostle from the 
malice of his enemies. The Lord disappointeth 
the devices of the crafty, so that their hands 
cannot perform their enterprise. 

Such are the grand arguments we present 
in favor of the position that the horse is the 
proper symbol of the Christian ministry. 



Fools for Christ. 59 



CHAPTER X. 

ass's reply. 

Most honorable Judges and Sovereign; no 
doubt you as well as myself were delighted with 
my opponent's magnificent speech. He certainly 
struck a rich fascinating vein of thought, and 
train of circumstances ; and if all those facts and 
arguments, as he calls them, were in his favor 
we would be somewhat discouraged in an at- 
tempt to sustain the converse of his proposition, 
and prove that the ass is the most suitable symbol 
of the Christian ministry, and we do not know; 
but that wq would cheerfully yield him the 
palm without further argument. But honorable 
judges, as you well know this discussion is not 
concerning mystical. horses, nor symbolic horses, 
nor celestial horses, which nip daisies, and clover, 
on pastures ever green, where comes no chilling 
blasts nor bighting frost; but we are debat- 
ing the question, relative to bonified, literal, ter- 
restrial horses, which roam over the rough and 
sometimes barren pastures of earth. To show 
you the difference between a symbolic horse 
and a literal horse we will refer you to a passage 
my honorable opponent used in his own behalf; 
which reads as folloys : " For the Lord of hosts 
hath visited his flock, the house of Judah and 



60 Fools for Christ. 

hath made them as his goodly horse in battle; 
out of him that is Judah came forth the cor- 
ner out of him, the nail out of him, the battle bow 
out of him, every oppressor together. And they 
shall be as mighty men which tread their enemies 
in the mire of the streets in the battle ; and the 
riders on horses shall be confounded ; not only 
that, but before we are done with the discussion 
we will convince you that the horses are doomed 
with their riders. 

In the commencement of his speech he prom- 
ised to review the history of his tribe ; and he 
referred to his association with Solomon Ahas- 
uerus and Queen Esther, and then went in 
quest of mystical horses. We should not be 
astonished at this however ; because there are so 
many dark spots in his history, he would not 
dare bring it out in full before this intelligent 
audience ; hence it devolves upon us, to review 
it for him, and develop the character of his 
associates as presented in the Holy Scriptures. 

The history of the horse is a remarkable one ; 
and there are circumstances connected with it that 
are not only interesting, but astonishing to the 
thoughtful ; but by no means favorable to the 
horse and his pretences. The seed of the serpent 
was to bruise the heel of the woman's seed ; and 
in the prophetic blessing of Jacob on Dan his fifth 
son we learn that he was to be a serpent by the 
way that biteth the horses' heels so that his rider 
should fall backwards. And it is finished with 
the delightful exclamation which is expressive 
of his faith ; " I have waited for thy salvation 
O Lord." In the Scriptures not a great deal 



Fools for Christ. 61 

is said concerning this tribe ; but when they 
reached the Promised Land they were appointed 
a section of country, to the north that was in- 
habited by Moabites, and they were forced to 
fight for their inheritance, and no doubt many 
a horses' heel was bitten by them, and his rider 
cast down in fulfillment of this prophecy. The 
horse responds it seems they waited in vain for 
salvation ; for nothing is said about this tribe by 
Saint John in his apostolic vision. " Ah," re- 
sponds the ass they were dispersed through the 
great multitude which no man could number, of 
all kindreds and peoples, tribes and nations. 

Mr. Horse, you spoke of your association 
with Joseph, but said nothing concerning your 
association with Pharaoh who had the temerity 
to pursue the children of Israel in their Exodus 
from Egypt; who had Moses for their leader 
and, the I am that I am for their guide and rear- 
ward which was evinced by a pillar of cloud 
by day and a pillar of fire by night, and was 
further demonstrated by his opening a path in 
the sea, so his people could pass through the 
great waters dry shod. Nevertheless Pharaoh 
with his host, chariots and horses pursued them 
into the great deep. 

The following day, at the instigation of the 
Almighty Moses stretched out his hand over the 
sea and the waters returned and covered the 
host of Pharaoh and not one escaped. Then 
there was joy and gladness among the Hebrews 
because of this wonderful deliverance ; and they 
sang unto the Lord because he had triumphed 



62 Fools for Christ. 

gloriously : the horse and his rider hath he thrown 
into the sea. 

Mr. Horse you were much admired by the 
kings of Canaan, Amarites, Hittites, Perezites 
and Jebusites : who formed an alliance against 
Joshua and Israel and opposed them in their 
victorious march through that country. 

Mr. Horse you had an admirer in another 
king, by the name of Iabin, who reigned in Har- 
zor — the captain of whose host was Sisera; 
into whose hands the Lord sold the children of 
Israel for their wickedness ; and he oppressed 
them mightily for twenty years. Then they cried 
unto the Lord for deliverance and their prayer 
was answered in the following manner : Deborah 
a prophetess judged Israel at that time; and the 
people came to her for judgment. In obedience 
to the indications of the divine spirit she called 
Barak out of Kedesh, Naphtali and said unto 
him: Hath not the Lord God of Israel com- 
manded saying : " Go, and draw toward Mount 
Tabor and take with thee ten thousand men of 
the children of Naphtali and of the children of 
Zebulun. He went accompanied by Deborah, 
Sisera was informed of this movement ; and he 
gathered to gether nine hundred chariots of iron 
and all the men of his army to fight against 
Israel ; and on a certain day Deborah the gover- 
ness ordered Barak to attack the army of the 
heathen. So he went down from Mount Tabor 
followed by ten thousand soldiers armed with 
swords, having the Lord for their vanguard and 
Sisera was discomforted, leaped from his chariot 
and fled and so did his host and Barak and 



Fools for Christ. 63 

army pursued after them, and all except Sisera 
fell by the sword, and he fled to the tent of a 
woman named Iael and she met him, and con- 
cealed him in her tent ; and gave him refresh- 
ment and promised to be his sentinel. But when 
he went to sleep, she took a nail and with ham- 
mer drove it through his temple into the ground, 
and he died. In this manner God subdued Iabm 
the king a Canaan, before the children of Israel. 
This victory gave origin to an ode of praise to 
God almost impassable in beauty and sublimity 
a part of which is inserted : They fought from 
heaven, the stars in their course fought against 
Sisera. The ancient river Kishon swept them 
away. Then were the horses' hoofs broken by 
means of the prancing — the prancing of the 
mighty ones. The inhabitants of Meroz did 
not engage in this conflict for liberty, hence they 
were anathenmatised said the angel of the Lord 
curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants 
thereof because they came not up to the help 
of the Lord against the mighty. And this is 
only a prelude to the curse that God will pro- 
nounce in the day of judgment upon the false 
prophets and idolaters in whose service you have 
been so conspicuous — Mr. Horse. 

Mr. Llorse you were associated with the chil- 
dren of Ammon — descendants of Lot — inveterate 
enemies of the Israelites. 

You were in the service of Shisha king of 
Egypt — one of the greatest conquerers and one 
of the most celebrated heroes of antiquity. 

Mr Horse you were much admired by Ben- 



64 Fools for Christ. 

hadad king of Syra who besieged Samaria in the 
days of Ahab, king of Israel. 

Mr. Horse you were highly prized by Sin- 
nachereb, king of Assyria who was distinguished 
for his presumption and blasphemy. 

Now Mr. Horse, you boast of Solomon's ad- 
miration of your tribe and of his sending down to 
Egypt for horses ; do you not know that it 
was a positive violation of the divine order that 
was given to Moses during their journey to 
Canaan. They were instructed that when they 
reached the good land and possessed it in case 
they desired a king they were to select one of 
their brethren whom the Lord would choose 
and it was stipulated that he was not to multiply 
horses to himself, nor cause his people to return 
to Egypt to the end that he should multiply 
horses, neither shall he multiply wives to him- 
self, neither shall he greatly multiply to himself, 
silver and gold. A law positive to prevent 
national relations and associations with idola- 
ters lest the Israelites be again defiled thereby ; 
and we note that king David the father of Solo- 
mon observed this law and did not encourage 
the horse and his rider. 2 Sam. 8-4. For when he 
smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath as 
he went to establish his dominion by the river 
Euphrates — he took from him a thousand chariots 
and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thou- 
sand footmen, and all the chariot horses ; re- 
serving only enough for a hundred chariots. So 
he did not greatly multiply horses unto himself. 
But Solomon went counter to this law. Sent 
to Egypt for horses, and for wives and filled his 



Fools for Christ. 65 

treasury with silver and gold. He gathered 
together chariots and hosemen — he had four- 
teen hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horse- 
men. He made silver to be in Jerusalem as 
stones. He had targets of gold and shields of 
beaten gold ; he made a great throne of ivory and 
overlaid it with the best gold ; his drinking vessels 
were of gold, and all the vessels o fthe house 
of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. He 
had a great navy at sea which brought him 
vast riches from other countries year by year, 
and many valuable presents were sent to him 
by princes of other kingdoms — so that he ex- 
ceeded all other king in riches. 

He also sent to Egvpt for wives, Consorted 
with the daughter of Pharaoh, princess of the 
Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians and 
Hittites. He did not have but seven hundred 
wives and three hundred concubines, all of whom 
were devotees to the false Gods of the nations 
from which they came ; and they turned away 
the heart of Solomon from the God of his father's 
to the idols of the heathen; and he went after 
Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians and 
afteh Milconn the abomination of the Ananno- 
nites, and he built high places for these abomina- 
tions in a hill before Jerusalem and so he did 
for all his strange wives who burnt incense and 
sacrificed to their false gods. Thus Solomon 
the wise, who ascended the throne of Israel 
under the most favorable auspices and was highly 
honored and blessed by the God of heaven — 
whose early reign was crowned with riches and 
glory and peace and was so promising to his 



66 Fools for Christ. 

people and kingdom, abased himself by turning 
away from the God of his fathers and encourag- 
ing idolatry among God's chosen people and 
brought upon himself everlasting reproach and 
the greatest calamities upon his people and the 
loss of the throne to his descendents, and the 
final overthrow of the kingdom of the Jews. 



Fools for Christ. 67 



CHAPTER XL 

horse's speech. 

Honorable Judges and Sovereign. The Chris- 
tian life is a warfare against the powers of 
darkness and sin, and the servants of Christ 
are soldiers; and they are exhorted to put on 
the whole armor of God and war a good war- 
fare. The true minister is eminently a soldier 
and Paul speaks of his conflicts with the enemies 
of Christianity and his victories over them. In 
the book of Job we have a description of a horse 
which is a most excellent symbol of a minister 
of the Gospel. Hast thou -given the horse his 
strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with 
thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a 
grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is 
terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth 
in his strength, he goeth on to meet the armed 
man. He mocketh at fear and is not affrightened ; 
neither turneth he back for the sword. The 
quiver rateleth against him ; the glittering spear 
and the shield, he paweth the ground with 
fierceness and rage, neither believeth he that it 
is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the 
trumpets ha, ha, and smelleth the battle afar 
off, the thunder of the captain and the shouting. 
Such undaunted courage is indispensible to the 



68 Fools for Christ. 

Christian minister, who would prevail over the 
powers of darkness and put to flight the armies 
of the alien. 

Now we call attention to the fact that the 
horse has been employed in fighting the battles 
of the Lord, and according to prophecy he will 
be thus employed on down through the ages, 
In my opponent's speech you remember he re- 
proached me; because some of my tribe were 
so unfortunate as to be associated with Ahab, 
king of Israel who encouraged idolatry in his 
kindom, for which he was scourged with a 
drought ; but he did not mention the fact that 
our master, the brave, dashing Jehu used us 
when he destroyed old Jezebel the mother of 
abominations, in Israel ; and exterminated all 
the wicked house of Ahab; which is one of the 
most remarkable events in Jewish history. 

In the fifth chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah 
we have a description of the wicked who reverse 
the order of things. Call good evil and evil 
good, put light for darkness, and darkness for 
light, bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter, who 
are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their 
own sight; who are mighty to drink wine, 
justify the wicked for a reward and take away 
the righteousness of the righteous from him- — 
pervert justice and judgment, cast away the 
law and despise his word — on whom the Lord 
had sent severe affliction ; but his anger was not 
turned away ; and on account of their iniquities, 
he informed them by the prophet that he would 
lift up an ensign for the nations from far, and 
will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; 



Fools for Christ. 69 

and behold they shall come with speed swiftly, 
without fatigue and worry — having sharp ar- 
rows and bent bows — horses' hoofs like flint 
and their wheels like a whirlwind, and they 
shall war like lions, shall roar like young lions : 
Yea they shall roar and lay hold of the prey, 
and shall carry it away safe, and none shall 
deliver it. In that day they shall roar against 
thee as the roaring of the sea, and in the land 
there shall be darkness and sorrow and the light 
will be darkness in the heavens thereof. 

Thus saith the Lord by the prophet Jeremiah 
I will bring evil out of the north, and great 
destruction. The lion Nebuchadnezzer is come 
up out of his thicket, the destroyer of the Gen- 
tiles is on his way ; he is gone forth from his 
place to make the land desolate and the cities 
shall be laid waste without inhabitant. Behold 
he shall come up as clouds and his chariots shall 
be as a whirlwind, his horses are swifter than 
eagles. The whole city shall flee, for the noise 
of the horsemen and bowmen ; they shall go into 
the clefts and climb upon the rocks, every 
city shall be forsaken and no man dwell therein. 
The prophet in describing the terror of this 
event says: I beheld the earth, and it was with- 
out form and void, and the heavens, and they 
had no light. I beheld the mountains, and lo, 
they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. 
I beheld and lo there was no man, and all the 
birds of the heavens were fled. The fruitful 
place was a wilderness, the cities were broken 
down at the presence of the Lord and his fierce 
anger. 



jo Fools for Christ. 

In chapter the eighth we read, The snorting 
of the horse was heard from Dan — the whole 
land trembled at the sound of the neighing of 
his strong ones ; for they have come and have 
devoured the land and all that is in it — the 
city and those that dwell therein. For behold 
I will send serpents and cocatrices, among you 
which will not be charmed and they shall bite 
you saith the Lord. 

In chapter forty-sixth, we learn that the horse 
was employed against Pharaoh-Neco, king of 
Egrypt. Order ye the buckler and shield and 
draw near to battle. Harness the horses; and 
get ye up ye horsemen and stand forth with 
your helmets ; furbish the spears, and put on 
your brigondines. Wherefore have I seen them 
dismayed and turned back, and their mighty 
ones beaten down and are fled apace, and look 
not back for fear was round about saith the Lord. 
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty men 
escape ; they chall stumble and fall toward the 
north b ythe river Euphates. Who is this that 
cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved 
as the rivers? It is Egypt moving like a flood 
covering the earth with armies to destroy the 
city and its inhabitants. Come up ye horses 
and rage ye chariots, let the mighty men corns 
forth : the Ethopians and the Lybyans that handle 
the sheild and the Lydians that handle and bend 
the bow. For this is the day of the Lord of 
hosts a day of vengeance that he may avenge 
him of his adversaries; and the sword shall de- 
vour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk 
with their blood, for the Lord God of hosts 



Fools for Christ. Jl 

hath a sacrifice in the north country by the 
river Euphrates. 

In the prophecy of Jeremiah chapter forty- 
seven, w*e have an account of the destruction of 
the Philistines at the instigation of the Almighty. 
The army from the north is to come and sweep 
over the land and city; the men shall cry and 
the inhabitants howl, at the noise of horses and 
the rushing of his chariots and at the rumbling 
of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back 
to their children, for feebleness of hands; be- 
cause of the day that cometh to spoil all the 
Philistines and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon 
every helper that remaineth ; for the Lord will 
spoil the Philistines the remnant of the country 
of Caphtor. 

In the fifteenth chapter of Jer. we learn that the 
horse was used in the destruction of vain Baby- 
lon. Thus saith the Lord : Behold a people shall 
come from the north, and a great nation, and 
many kings shall be raised up from the coasts 
of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the 
lance ; they are cruel, and will not show mercy : 
their voice shall roar like the sea and they shall 
ride upon horses, every one put in array like a 
man to the battle, against the O daughter of 
Babylon. 

In the twenty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel, 
Samaria and Jerusalem are personafied — named 
after two licentious women, Aholah and Ahoh- 
bah. Samariah is Aholibah. She was the first 
to act the harlot — doted on her neghbors 
the Assyrians ; her neighbors which were clothed 
with blue, captains and rulers, all of them de- 



J2 Fools for Christ. 

sirable young men, riding upon horses, and she 
committed whoredom with them and all the 
chosen men of the nations and defiled herself 
with their idols; wherefore the Lord delivered 
her into the hand of her lovers, and they slew 
her with the sword and made slaves of her sons 
and daughters. By reference to the eighteenth 
chapter of second Kings, we learn that this 
' was done by Shalmaneser king of Assyria while 
Hoshea, son of Elah reigned over Israel. Now 
when her sister Aholiber saw this she became 
more corrupt in her inordinate love for the 
Assyrians whose captains and rulers were clothed 
most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, 
all desirable young men." Saith the Lord unto 
Ahilobah. Behold I will raise up thy lovers 
against thee; from whom thy mind is alienated, 
and I will bring them against thee on every 
side: The Babylonians, Chaldeans, Pekod, and 
Shoa and Hoa and all the Assyrians with them; 
all of them desirable young men; captains and 
rulers, great lords and renowned all of them 
riding upon horses. And they shall come against 
thee with chariots, wagons and wheels, and 
with an assembly of people which shall set 
against thee buckler and shield, and helmet, round 
about, and I will set judgment before thee and 
they shall judge thee according to their judgment. 
By reference to the twenty-fourth and twenty- 
fifth chapters of second Kings, we have an ac- 
count of the fulfillment of this prophecy; by 
Nebuchadnezzer king of Babylon who came with 
a great host, besieged Jerusalem ; destroyed the 
city, robbed the temple and burnt it and carried 



Fools for Christ. 73 

the people off to Babylon as captives ; and they 
remained there for seventy years; after which 
they were released by king Cyrus of Persia 
who overcame Babylon ; and permitted the Jews 
to return to their own land and rebuild the city 
and temple. 

In the twenty-sixth chapter of Ezekiel, we 
learn that the horse was used in the destruction 
of Tyre, a celebrated commercial city of an- 
tiquity called Tyrus in prophecy. 

In the first chapter of the prophecy of Habak- 
kuk we learn that the Lord will employ the 
horse against the corrupt heathen. 

ass's rejoinder. 

Honorable King and Judges: In the Scrip- 
tures we are taught that the horse is a vain 
thing for safety; and that he shall not de- 
liver any by his great strength. The Jews 
forbidden to raise horses ; but as you have 
heard they did not observe this precept, procured 
horses from the heathen and with the horse 
came trouble and disaster. In the first chapter 
of Micah we have this remarkable declaration 
of the prophet O thou inhabitant of Lachish 
binding thy chariot to the swift beast; she is 
the beginning of the sin to the daughter of 
Zion; for the transgression of Israel were 
found in thee. Confidence in Egypt and reliance 
upon the horse are denounced by the Most High 
in positive terms. In the thirty-first chapter 
of the prophecy of Isaiah, we have this language ; 
" Wo to them that go down to Egypt for help 



74 Fools for Christ. 

and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because 
they are many and in horsemen because they 
are strong ; but they look not to the Holy one of 
Israel, neither seek the Lord. Thus saith the 
Lord the Egyptians are men, not God, and their 
horses are flesh, not spirit. When the Lord 
shall stretch out his hand; both he that helpeth 
shall fall, and he that is hopen shall fall down and 
they all shall fall together. In the fifteenth 
verse; Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One 
of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be 
saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be 
your strength ; and ye would not. But ye said 
we will flee upon horses ; therefore shall ye flee ; 
and we will ride upon the swift; therefore shall 
they that pursue you be swift. One thousand 
shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke 
of five shall ye flee, till ye be left as a beacon 
upon the top of the mountain, and as an ensign 
on the hill. 

The children of Israel went down to Egypt 
for horses ; became attached to their foolish 
idols and followed in their vain, ungodly ways, 
set their hearts on covetousness ; we read of 
this in the second chapter of the prophecy of 
Isaiah. 

This people on account of their idolatry and 
wickedness became a great burden to that God 
who fainteth not neither becomes weary. In 
the second chapter of Amos, he saith, Be- 
hold I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed 
that is full of sheaves. Therefore the flight 
shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall 
not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty 



Fools for Christ. 75 

deliver himself; neither shall he stand that 
handleth the bow ; and he that is swift of foot 
shall not deliver himself, neither shall he that 
rideth the horse deliver himself.'' 

" Now Mr. Horse, " you boast of the Lord 
employing you to fight his battles; and you 
have produced several passages of Scripture 
to establish this fact. Now we inquire were 
the kings whose chariots you drew and the cap- 
tains and generals and soldiers who charged 
so gallantly upon your back the friends of God 
and true religion? " 

" They were not ; but they were the most 
abominable idolaters and God arrayed one 
against another as a chastisement for their in- 
iquities ; and when his chosen people turned 
away from him and trusted in horses in Egypt 
and in idols he treated them likewise ; and made 
their iniquities correct them and their backslid- 
ings reprove them; for he maketh the wrath of 
man praise him; and the remainder of wrath he 
restrains. He has declared that he will destroy 
idolatry and that the workers of iniquity shall 
perish, and he is wise and will bring good out of 
evil, will not call back his word ; but will arise 
against evil doers and against the help of them 
that work iniquity." 

" Now, sir, we shall prove that the horse is 
doomed with his idolatrous rider and he cannot 
therefore be a proper symbol of the Christian 
ministry. The horse and his rider he has cast 
into the sea is the chorus of the solemn dirge to 
which you have capered in all preceding history. 

" Thus saith the Lord to the prophet Haggai ; 



j6 Fools for Christ. 

I will shake the heavens and the earth; and I 
will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I 
will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the 
heathen and I will overthrow the chariots and 
those that ride in them ; and the horses and their 
riders shall come down, every one by the sword 
of his brother. 

In the fiftieth chapter of the prophecy of 
Jeremiah : Thus saith the Lord concerning the 
oppressors of his people : A sword is upon the 
chaldeans and upon the inhabitants of Babylon 
and upon her princes and upon her wise men. 
A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote; 
a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall 
be dismayed. A sword is upon their horses and 
upon their chariots; and upon all the mingled 
people that are in the midst of her. 

In the fifty-first chap. The Lord saith con- 
cerning Israel and Judah: Thou art my battle 
ax, and weapons of war; for with thee will I 
break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with 
thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his 
rider. And I will render unto Babylon and all 
the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they 
have done in Zion, in your sight saith the Lord. 

Now, Mr. Horse: Let me inform you that 
Jesus who honored my tribe with an everlasting 
honor when he made his triumphant entry into 
Jerusalem amidst the Hosannas of the multi- 
tudes is against the horse as you may learn by 
reference to the ninth chapter of the prophecy of 
Zechariah. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ; 
shout O daughter of Jerusalem ; behold thy King 
cometh unto thee; he is just, and having sal- 



Fools for Christ, J J 

vation ; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon 
a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the 
chariot from Ephriam, and the horse from Jeru- 
salem, and the battle bow shall be cut off; and 
he shall speak peace unto the heathen ; and his 
dominion shall be from sea even to sea and from 
the rivers even to the ends of the earth. 

Now we will conclude this speech by inform- 
ing you that th children learned by sad ex- 
perience not to trust in the heathen and horse in 
time of danger and trouble. This we learn from 
the fourteenth chap, of Hosea. 



78 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XII. 

HORSES SPEECH : HONORABLE JUDGES AND SOV- 
EREIGN. 

Because of the excellent qualities of my tribe 
— docility, gentleness, kindness, courage and 
strength ; Judah the most distinguished of the 
twelve tribes of Israel is likened to a goodly 
horse in battle. 

In the prophecy of Joel the great army of God 
is compared to horses. The appearance of them 
is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen. 

In the prophecy of Habokhuk the Lord himself 
is represented as riding upon horses. 

In the Scriptures the horse is used to represent 
the highest order of Spiritual intelligences in 
carrying out the purposes of God in governing 
the world. In support of this proposition : read 
from the prophecy of Zechariah. 

There are two classes of angels: the evil and 
the good. In this scripture the white horse repre- 
sents the good and the colored the evil spirits. 
Did you never read the following ? Are they not 
all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to 
them who shall be heirs of salvation. Thousand 
thousands ministered unto him and ten thousand 
times ten thousand stood before him. Said Jesus 
to his persecuters: Thinkest thou that I cannot 



Fools for Christ. 79 

now pray unto my Father and he will give me 
legions of angels. Evil spirits also are numerous 
walking to and fro in earth and air in rebellion yet 
God can compel them to do his will and pleasure. 
Did not Paul have a thorn in his flesh which he 
said was the messenger of Satan to buffet him lest 
he should be exalted above measure. And he 
instructed the church at Corinth todeliver a cer- 
tain fornicator to Satan for the destruction of the 
flesh that his spirit might be saved in the day of 
the Lord Jesus. Again the Lord said : who shall 
persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at 
Rameth Gilead ; and one said on this manner, 
and another said on that manner. And then 
came forth a Spirit and stood before the Lord 
and said I will persuade him. And the Lord said 
wherewith. And he said I will go forth and I 
will be a lying Spirit in the mouth of all his 
prophets. And he said: Thou shalt persuade 
him, and prevail also ; go forth, and do so. The 
lying Spirit is the devil, who was a liar from the 
beginning, and even devils are employed to de- 
ceive and ensnare the wicked of earth. The black 
horses going forth represent evil Spirits or 
devils and the white horses represent good angels 
going to counteract the evil produced by them. 
Now as the white horse represents the holy an- 
gels we conclude that he is a suitable symbol of 
the Christian ministry in the work of love and 
mercy. 

In this passage is an allusion to the book 
spoken of in the preceding chapter which was 
sealed and could be opened by no one except 
Jesus called : The Lion of the tribe of Judah. It 



8o Fools for Christ. 

is generally thought that it contained nothing- 
only what is written in this book called by way 
of distinction Revelation. Is it not possible that 
this symbolic book comprehended the whole of 
the canonical Scriptures ; and the little book 
spoken of in the tenth chapter which John took 
from the angel and ate, included what was re- 
vealed to him only. There are plausible reasons 
for the conclusion. The book was sealed with 
seven seals which denotes that it was perfect; 
wanting nothing. Now it requires the whole of 
the revealed will of God as it is given in the 
whole of the Sacred Scriptures to constitute such 
a book. The Apocalypse alone is not a complete 
revelation of the will purposes and plan of Gods 
moral government. Furthermore Saint John 
frequently alludes to circumstances contained in 
the law and prophets; as examples — the twelve 
tribes and Jerusalem. But it is assumed that this 
was given by Jesus after his ascension. The 
whole of the Scripture was given by him ; for by 
him are all things considered. John certainly 
had a symbolic vision of the whole book of 
God. The book of seven seals was a perfect 
book. 

Where was this vision realized in the church 
militant or triumphant. John tells us that he 
was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and he heard 
a voice speaking to him ; and he turned and had 
a view of the church and of Jesus in all his glory 
among the churches; but after this he looked 
and beheld that a door was opened in heaven and 
he was commanded to come up hither and he 
would be shown things that would be thereafter ; 



Fools for Christ. 8i! 

and he says immediately I was in the Spirit and 
beheld a throne set in heaven and one sat on the 
throne. Now it is assumed by some that John 
had this vision in the church below; but is it 
not probable that they are mistaken about this 
and that John like some of the rest of the proph- 
ets and apostles was by faith transported to the 
heaven of heavens where he witness this grand 
scene and received this communication of the 
divine purpose and order of proceeding in the 
church below. Who can read his unearthly ac- 
count of the numbering of the tribes and de- 
scription of the innumerable multitude of sainted 
Spirits and consistently with their own convic- 
tions and feelings restrict him to the church be- 
low; where no such felicity exist. The beloved 
disciple while an exile on the lonely Isle of Pat- 
mus for the word of God and the testimony of 
Jesus must have had a vision of the heavenly 
world where he saw and heard these things. One 
author objects to this view, because a door was 
opened; and he says heaven has no doors; but 
Saint John in his inimitable description of the 
great city says it has a wall great and high and 
that it has twelve gates ; on the east three gates ; 
on the north three gates ; on the south three gates 
and on the west three gates ; but here comes the 
rejoinder, this is the church that John is describ- 
ing ; very well ; but it is the church in its glorified 
state which is heaven. Its gates shall not be shut 
at all by day; for there is no night. Again 
heaven is likened unto a mansion ; and mansions 
have doors ; and we presume Saint John did not 
miss it much when he said a door was opened in 



82 Fools for Christ. 

heaven ; by which he meant it was made accessible 
to him in his vision; so he was commanded to 
come up hither. 

What about those peculiar beasts having many 
wings and eyes dwelling around the throne of 
God leading the elders in the highest order of 
divine worship and ascribing continual praise to 
God. In the new version they are called living 
creatures; but this does not alter the case; for 
one is like a lion, another like a calf ; another has 
only the face of a man — the other like a flying 
eagle. The question is what are they; and what 
do they represent ; for we do not suppose they are 
literal beasts. Mr. Cox, a distinguished divine 
says they are the four Evangelists; Matthew, 
Mark, Luke and John; Let us note a few facts; 
there are four of them; corresponding in num- 
ber and kind to the national emblems of the 
tribes of Israel! and they are associated with 
elders. The same number were called up into 
the mount at the giving of the law; namely 
Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy 
of the elders, who worshiped afar off, while 
Moses alone drew near the Lord. In this vision 
may there not be a reference to this fact; and 
were it not that some of these characters were 
cut off for their rebellion ; we should incline, 
to the opinion that they were represented by the 
beasts. But we will supply the places of the 
apostales with two other of the most devoted 
servants of God; and Suggest that they are 
Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Elijah. 

And there arose not a prophet since in Israel 
like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to 



Fools for Christ. 83 

face. In all the signs and wonders which the 
Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to 
Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his 
land. And in all that mighty band, and in all 
the great terror which Moses showed in the sight 
of all Israel. Here is the Lion that received the 
law at the hand of God on Sinai and gave it to 
the people and destroyed the first half in Israel 
that was dedicated to idolatry. Aaron, son of 
Amidin; and the elder brother of Moses. He 
was a prince of the tribe of Leviard his name 
derived, from Hor, a mountain, is by some sup- 
posed to signify mountained ; but by others to 
denote eminent, as if prophetic of his lofty desig- 
nation ; he being called of God, not only to take 
part in the redemption of his people from Egypt, 
but also to be the first High Priest of Israel. In 
this most high and sacred relation he was in 
several respects an illustrious type of Christ who 
is the body and substance of all the Levitical 
shadows and sacrifices, through whose mediation, 
alone the guilty can have access to God Encyclo- 
pedias of Religious knowledge. It is true he 
erred in yielding to the solicitations of the people 
at Sinai ; but he heartily repented of this sin ob- 
tained forgiveness was restored to the divine 
favor and was promoted according to divine 
direction to great honor ; and filled the office of 
High Priest with great credit to himself; and 
was a true devoted servant of God. In this 
vision he is likened unto a calf ; because the lamb 
was typical of Christ and the calf was next in 
importance as a sacrifice. And Joshua the son 
of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for 



84 Fools for Christ. 

Moses had laid his hands upon him and the 
children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as 
the Lord commanded Moses. There is another 
character that was brought in intimate connec- 
tion and association with a personage invested 
with divine authority. When he was by Jerrico 
he lifted up his eyes and looked and behold there 
stood a man over against him with a drawn sword 
in his hand and Joshua went unto him and said 
unto him : Art thou for us or for our adversaries ? 
And he said nay ; but as captain of the Lord of 
hosts am I come. Here is a man whose name is 
expressive of his devotion to God and of the close 
relation he sustained to him having nearly the 
same signification of Jesus the Saviour. In all 
his conflicts against his adversaries in the land 
of Canaan he did not loose a single victory — 
through God the sun and moon stopped in their 
courses ; while his veterans fought ; and God cast 
hailstones upon his enemies. He never faltered 
in his devotion to God, neither did he make a 
single mistake in the discharge of his manifold, 
difficult and responsible duties. And though he 
was an old veteran and had shed much blood ; 
yet he was a man of feeling and sympathy ; and 
when he could without violating a divine com- 
mand he showed mercy to those of his enemies 
who requested it of him. In addition to this he 
was a man of high order of intellect and fine 
understanding; hence while he is in this vision 
likened unto a beast ; yet it is said he had the 
face of a man. Says Smith in his Bible Dictionary, 
Elijah the Tishbite has been well entitled the 
grandest and the most romantic character Israel 



Fools for Christ. 85 

ever produced. Certainly there is no personage 
in the Old Testament whose career is more viv- 
idly portrayed, or who exercises on us a more re- 
markable fascination. His rare, sudden and 
brief appearances — his undaunted courage and 
fiery zeal the brilliancy of his triumphs — the 
pathos of his despondency — the glory of his de- 
parture, and the calm beauty of his reappearance 
on the Mount of Transfiguration — throw such a 
halo of brightness around him as is equalled by 
none of his compeers in the sacred story." He 
was swift in the discharge of duty and fleet in 
escaping from his enemies. If there ever was a 
man who might with propriety be symbolized by 
an eagle, we presume it was Elijah; so here is 
the eagle spoken of in this vision. 

But why are they called beasts or compared to 
beasts and birds? on account of certain promi- 
nent traits of character they possessed — and there 
may he on allusion to the offices they filled while 
on earth; moreover while below; they traveled 
on foot as beasts, and fought like beast and 
fought against a beastly religion ; and the system 
of idolatry, or false religion, that they contended 
against so faithfully is the very thing denounced 
in this book against which God is preparing the 
church to fight more extensively and success- 
fully; for it is the purpose of God for this war- 
fare to go on until every idol beneath the sun is 
abolished ; and He is recognized as the only 
God and his name one. 

Another reason why we think they are entitled 
to preeminence and distinction on high, is that 
they were among the first to make an aggression 



86 Fools for Christ. 

on the system of idolatry, which had existed 
for ages; and they should be honored for it; 
upon the same principle that we honor Washing- 
ton as the father of our independence. 

Up to the time of the giving of this prophecy 
the cause of truth had made slow progress. Its 
motions were sluggish, like that of a huge, fat, 
lazy beast. Bat now its progress is to be wonder- 
fully increased; and as an indication of it, its 
heralds and defenders are seated upon horses 
behind God's canvas; and those ancient heroes 
who in this vision are likened unto beasts, at 
the opening of the seals, discovered this design 
and in ecstacies of joy they in regular order call 
to John with the voice of thunder; Come and 
see; and the first he beheld was a white horse 
dashing along with a rider, crowned and armed 
with a bow. This horse corresponds with the 
first beast, the lion which was Moses — his coioi 
denotes the purity of the cause in which he was 
employed and his rider with bow and crown de- 
notes the divine right and authority of the serv- 
ants of God to propagate and defend Christianity, 
and subdue opposing powers. 

The red horse corresponds with the calf, which 
was Aaron; and his color is symbolical of the 
fact that the system of true religion came by the 
blood of Jesus, and without it, there is no re- 
mission of sins ; and his rider probably represents 
the missionary going into heathen lands to 
preach the Gospel ; for he has power to take 
peace from the earth and this is done among the 
heathen when the Gospel is preached to them. 
"I came not to send peace but a sword," said 



Fools for Christ 87 

Jesus. The missionary preaches the Gospel to 
the heathen, some believe it and embrace it, 
others reject it and make war upon the Christians ; 
and they kill one another. To the rider on the 
red horse is given a sword which indicates au- 
thority, and the right of self defence. 

The black horse which corresponds with the 
beast that had the face of a man, denotes stern- 
ness inflexible justice. His rider has a pair of 
scales or balances and his business is to ad- 
just matters properly and see that the laws of 
justice are meeted out between man and man ; 
nation and nation ; but he has no right to de- 
stroy. See thou hurt not the oil or the wine. 

The pale horse which corresponds with the 
fourth beast, or the eagle which was Elijah is 
a symbol of death ; which is the name of his 
rider. And he has power to kill with the sword 
and with hunger: "Elijah had this power over 
the natural laws which produce death and over 
the beasts of the earth ; and he has power to 
kill a fourth part of the inhabitants of earth and 
about that proportion of the idolatrous heathen 
have to be killed in defence of Christianity ; and 
the order of God is kill them ; for they are cum- 
berers of the earth ; and his servants of old 
Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Hezikah and Josiah 
killed them; and they will be killed until they 
are exterminated. 

In these United States we have a most mag- 
nificent partial fulfillment of this prophecy in 
the system of Itinerancy of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; both North and South. Her 
devoted sacrificing ministers at the call and 



S8 Fools for 'Christ. 

instigation of God, mounted upon horses white, 
red, black, speckled, and bay — have traveled 
over most every hill, mountain, dale and valley 
of this vast country, preaching the Gospel of 
the kingdom to vast multitudes — going on from 
victory to victory crying; Worthy is the lamb 
that was slain to receive dominion honor and 
glory for he hath redeemed us with his precious 
blood and made us kings and priests unto our 
God, and his Father; and shouts of victory like 
that above hath ascended ; and the church militant 
and the church triumphant have in unison 
shouted, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, just 
and true are thy ways, thou King of saints ; and 
the battle is waxing hotter and hotter with 
holy fire until all this vast continent is brought 
to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. 

Here is the divine promise in common to 
the seven churches of Asia.. He that overcometh 
and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will, 
I give power over the nations. And he shall 
rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels 
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; 
even as I received of my Father. And I will 
give him the morning star: He that hath an 
ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the 
churches. 

Now this white horse represents the true 
and faithful church of God of all peoples and 
kingdoms, as it sweeps down through the ages 
triumphing over opposing principles and powers ; 
and Saint John was favored with a vision of 
him in his last battle and victory. I saw heaven 
opened and behold a white horse; and he that 



Fools for Christ. 89 

sat on him was called faithful and true and 
in righteousness, he doth judge and make war. 
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head 
were many crowns; and he had a name written, 
that no man knew but himself. And he was 
clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his 
name is called The Word of God. And the 
armies which were in heaven, followed him 
upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white 
and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp 
sword that with it he should smite the nations; 
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and 
he treadeth the wine press of the fierceness and 
wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his 
vesture and on his thigh a name written, King 
of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Such are the 
arguments in full we present in favor of the 
position that the horse is the proper symbol of 
the Christian ministry. 



90 Focls for Christ. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
ass's third reply. 

Honorable Judges and Sovereign : My friend 
Mr. Horse delights in imagery ; and we confess 
that he leads us into some of the most beautiful, 
delightful and awfully sublime portions of the 
Holy Scripture; and he winds up his history 
and lecture on the most glorious, as well as 
the most solemn event that was ever presented 
to the mind for consideration; the final conflict 
and victory of the captain of the Lord's hosts 
who had triumphantly rode down through the 
misty dark ages of persecution conquering 
ignorant, superstitious, apostate, idolatrous, anti- 
christian nations and kingdoms gathering many 
crowns and adding brilliant stars to his crowns ; 
according to the divine command as given in the 
fourty-fifth Psalm. 

But we first call attention to the imagery 
in the prophecy of Zechariah. The meaning 
of it is obsucre ; but some historical facts con- 
cerning the state of affairs by which the prophet 
was surrounded will enable us to form intelli- 
gible views of it. During the seventy years cap- 
tivity in Babylon their city Jerusalem had been 
almost ruined — the beautiful temple which Solo- 
mon built was destroyed. While they were 



Fools for Christ. 91 

held as captives Cyrus the founder of the Persian 
empire overcame Babylon, eliberated the Jews 
restored to them the vessels of silver and gold 
that belonged to the house of the Lord, that had 
been carried off by Nebuchadnezzar and he gave 
orders for them to return to their native land 
and rebuild the temple. They did so and com- 
menced the work with great joy and enthusiasm. 
But their enemies soon began to oppose them; 
and in order to defeat them sent a letter of 
serious accusation to Artaxerxes who reigned 
in Persia after the death of Cyrus ; and he 
gave orders for them to cease building; so the 
work was stopped ; and the people and prophets 
were much troubled and dispirited. Now at 
a certain time which is specified by the prophet, 
came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah and 
he saw this vision of horses, on one of which 
was a man riding who conversed with the 
prophet and with those attendants whose mis- 
sion was to walk to and fro through the earth. 
This man on horseback called the angel of 
the Lord appeared among the myrtle trees in 
the bottom which was an indication to the 
prophet of peace good errand. Those red, 
speckled and white horses which were behind 
him whose business was to walk to and fro 
through the earth report to the one on horse- 
back that they had done so ; and that the earth 
sitteth still and is at rest. This was not a favor- 
able report no changes have been made, no un- 
favorable laws or decisions among the nations 
have been reversed. The same difficulties that 
prevented the rebuilding the temple still exist. 



92 Fools for Christ. 

Then the man or angel on horse-back appealed 
to the Lord about it and enquired ; How long 
wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and oil 
the cities of Judah against which thou hast 
had indignation these three score and ten years ; 
and the Lord answered the angel with good and 
comfortable words expressive of his favor to- 
ward Jerusalem ; and his displeasure with the 
heathen who were at rest; and assured him that 
he would return to Jerusalem with mercies and 
that his house should be built. The prophet 
had this vision soon after the rebuilding of the 
temple had ceased by the order of Artaxerxex ; 
This is evident from the expression of the angel 
three score and ten years — the length of the 
time of their captivity. Now it is probable 
that many of them had wandered off among 
other nations and had not returned home; and 
there was no doubt a great anxiety felt for absent 
brethren, and the general restoration of the Jews 
was involved in the question of rebuilding the 
city and temple ; a knowledge of this fact is 
necessary in order to understand the vision 
of chariots, and horses which came out from 
between two mountains of brass. A chariot 
is a vehicle of conve}/ance; and it denotes tran- 
sit. To the mind of thep rophet it may have 
been expressive of the return of a remnant 
of their brethren. These mountains of brass 
were symbolic of difficulties, they could not pass 
over — probably two nations; but there was a 
way between them through which they could 
pass; for yonder comes the chariots and horses 
from between two mountains of brass. When 



Fools for Christ. 93 

the prophet saw these things he enquired what 
they were, and was told by the angel, that they 
were the four spirits of the heavens which go 
forth from standing before the Lord of all the 
earth: These four spirits are called winds also. 
In the Scriptures, armies are likened unto winds ; 
the four winds which correspond with the car- 
dinal points of the compass, represent the 
armies, east, west, north and south. Now these 
four chariots of horses may represent the four 
armies or nations of the earth in their action 
and proceedings relative to the Jews ; and as 
they were traveling and co-operating in harmony 
the vision was favorable to the end contemplated 
which was the complete restoration of -the Jews 
and the completion of the temple. These horses 
were commanded to walk to and fro through 
the earth, and they did so. Then the prophet 
was directed to proceed to reorganize their 
system of worship with the assurance that the 
temple should be built. The principal difficulty 
was removed by the Jews by letter prevailing 
on the then reigning king of Persia, to have 
a search made for the record of Cyrus relative 
to the Jews; he did so and generously had it 
enforced; so the Jews proceeded with their 
building and this prophecy was fulfilled ; but 
it required about sixty-seven years to accom- 
plish these ends. By reference to the books of 
Ezra and Nehemiah, you will gain much infor- 
mation concerning thep rophecy of Zechariah 
relative to these matters. 

Now honorable judges we call' "attention to 
that grand retinue of horses spoken of in the 



94 Fools for Christ. 

book of Revelation and we state that the white 
one does not symbolize ministers of the Gospel, 
as some have supposed; for he carries a rider; 
which would represent the minister if such things 
were intended. Furthermore in this book the 
Gospel minister is symbolized by an angel which 
John saw flying in the midst of heaven having 
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that 
dwell on the earth and to every nation and 
kindred, and tongue and people: saying with a 
loud voice, fear God and give glory to Him; 
for the hour of his judgment is come; and 
worship him that made heaven and earth and 
the sea and the fountains of waters. Mr. Bald- 
win says this white horse is a symbol of an 
organic body of pure character moving with 
the velocity of a war horse ; and that he and 
his rider crowned, represent the church of Christ 
united to the state after outriding the ten great 
persecutions. The same author assumes that a 
bloody religion is represented by the red horse; 
and that the christian religion soon changed its 
character after its union with the state. It im- 
mediately began its persecution of the Arians 
and the blood of the people flowed like rivers, 
by its influence ever since. He thinks this has 
reference to the Roman church after its apos- 
tacy from the simplicity of the Gospel. He 
thinks the black horse has reference to the 
Mahomedan imposture and that the pale horse 
represents the French infidelity and its polity ; 
and that th^nan with many crowns on a white 
horse repreWnts the United States of America; 
and that those four beasts represent civil powers 



Fools for Christ. 95 

Mr. Cox, another distinguished author substan- 
cially agrees with Mr. Baldwin in many things ; 
in others they disagree very much; he assumes 
that the man on the white horse represents the 
Almighty subduing the world unto himself. So 
you discover that your views are erratic ; and 
I notify you that you will be considered pre- 
sumptuous for making suggestions contrary to 
the views entertained by the learned and great. 
Whether or not any of these explanations of 
those symbols are absolutely correct, no one 
knows, for such symbols especially when com- 
plicated are difficult to interpret; and then sym- 
bolic prophecy is so extensive, reaching over the 
whole period of the world's existence ; the length 
of which we know not, and then there is so 
much similarity in the wars persecutions and 
calamities pictured in this book; and then the 
history of the past is so imperfect that no man 
can tell when that and this prophecy was fuU 
filled and when others will be: Moreover we 
need not bother ourselves much about these 
symbols: They are beautiful, attractive, in- 
teresting, and some of them are most horrible ; 
but they are as chaff to the wheat or as a shadow 
to the substance. The world has the substance, 
or that which is signified by these symbols ; 
and men need not go crazy about them ; for they 
are only symbols. 

But Mr. Horse and honorable judges and 
Sovereign we do approve of a rational ex- 
planation of these symbols ; and almost any 
sort of explanation is better thari^-none; for the 
mind is curious about such things; and without 



96 Fools for Christ. 

some knowledge, and understanding concerning 
them ; there is a vacancy in the mind ; and some 
dissatisfaction and perplexity: Whereas a ra- 
tional explanation of them, gives the mind some- 
thing on which to rest and stay itself, while 
striving tc believe God's word, trust his promises 
and hold on to Jesus by the hand of faith. Note 
this fact ye authors of our Sunday-school peri- 
odicals who silently pass over these things. The 
youthful mind enquires why did he not give 
us some explanation of this — just here they 
are in darkness and are an easy prey to doubt. 
Why my distinguished friends and teachers of 
babes Mr. Horse's explanation is better than 
yours. 

A careful perusal of the history of the dark 

ages and reign of tyranny, which commenced 

about the beginning of the third century of 

the Christian era, will shed much light upon the 

signification of these prophetic symbols. 

But Mr. Horse it is not cur business or pur- 
pose on this occasion to discuss the mysteries 
of Revelation, but to trace your history, develop 
your true character as it is presented in the 
Scriptures and follow you to your final destiny, 
and prove that your proposition is false ; and 
that you are not used as a symbol of the Chris- 
tian ministry ; And we will be candid, and inform 
you that in the Scriptures you are used to repre- 
sent and illustrate thoughtless, wicked, reckless 
characters, and the most abominable idolaters, 
adulterers and apostates. Thus saith the Lord, 
Why is this people of Jerusalem slidden back 
by a perpetual backsliding — they hold fast deceit, 



Fools for Christ. 9 J 

they spake not aright; no man repented him of 
his wickedness, saying what have I done, every 
one turned to his own course as the horse rusheth 
into the battle. How shall I pardon thee for 
this ? Thy children have forsaken me, and 
sworn by them that are no gods: When I had 
fed them to the full, they then committed adul- 
tery, and assembled themselves by troops in the 
harlot's houses They were as fed horses in 
the morning, every one neighed after his neigh- 
bor's wife. Shall not I visit for these things, 
saith the Lord, and shall not my soul be avenged 
on such a nation as this? 

The dreadful locusts that came out of the 
smoke that issued from the bottomless pit, at 
the sounding of the fifth trumpet are compared 
to you. The shapes of the locusts were like 
unto horses prepared unto battle ; and on their 
heads were as it were crowns like gold, and 
their faces were as the faces of men. And they 
had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth 
were as the teeth of lions. And they had breast- 
plates as it were, breastplates of iron ; and the 
sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, 
of many horses running to battle. And they 
had tails like unto scorpians and there were 
stings in their tails; and their power was to 
hurt men five months. And they had a king 
over them which is the angel of the bottomless 
pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abad- 
don but in the Greek tongue hath his name 
Apollyon. 

At the sounding of the sixth trumpet there ap- 
peared a great army of horses that had heads 



98 Fools for Christ. 

like lions. The number of the army of the horse- 
men were two hundred thousand. And thus 
I saw the horses in the vision, and them that 
sat on them, having breastplates of fire and 
of jacinth and brimstone; and the heads of the 
horses were as the heads of lions : and out of 
their mouths issued fire and smoke, and brim- 
stone. By these was tue third part of men 
killed by the fire, and by the smoke and by the 
brimstone which issued out of their mouths. 
For their power was in their mouth, and in 
their tails ; for their tails were like unto serpents, 
and had heads, and with them they do hurt. 
Yes, says the horse, that was God's army, read 
on." And the rest of the men which were not 
killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the 
work of their hands that they should not wor- 
ship devils and idols of gold and silver and 
brass and stone and wood, which neither can 
see, nor hear, nor walk ; neither repented they 
of their murders nor their Sorceries, nor their 
fornications, nor of their theft. Now Mr. Horse 
the last described are your crew according to 
the Scripture. Now we direct attention to the 
last great battle of God Almighty with which you 
concluded your last speech, and not how it will 
terminate with you and your idolatrous rider. 
I John saw an angel standing in the sun, and 
he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the 
fowls that fly in the midst of heaven ; come and 
gather yourselves together unto the supper of 
the great God that ye may eat the flesh of kings 
and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty 
men and the flesh of horses and of them that 



Fools for Christ. 99 

sit on them, and the flesh of all men both free 
and bond, both small and great. So in the last 
great battle you will share in the fate of the 
worshipers of the beast and his image and the 
deceivers the false prophets which shall fall by 
the sword, and all the birds will be filled with 
your flesh. Such is your doom. 

LOFC. 



ioO Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The horse and ass having- finished their dis- 
cussion, king goat orders the trial of the mule. 
The court is ready, the ponies present. The great 
horse mounts to his feet and addresses the judges 
and the king in particular almost in the lan- 
guage of Turtullus, who appeared against Paul. 
Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness; 
and that very worthy deeds are done unto this 
nation by thy providence ; we accept it always and 
in all places most noble king and worthy judges 
with all thankfulness : Notwithstanding that I be 
not further tedious unto you I pray you hear us 
of thy clemency a few words ; for we have found 
this mule to be a pestilent fellow and a mover of 
sedition among the brethren and we thought it 
expedient for the good of the church to cite him 
to trial to answer certain charges and specifica- 
tions that we now bring against him. He is 
herewith accused of falsehood and charged with 
slander in testimony of which we produce a 
document written by him, bearing his signature 
in full, comprising a speech which he delivered 
in the Kidron church on the first Sunday of Oc- 
tober, 1886, in which he speaks in very slight 
terms of some of our ministers, calls them ponies 
and gives a disparaging and we think false ac- 
count of their work in cultivating Emanuels 



Fools for Christ. ioi 

land. He says they work with inferior utensils, 
do poor plowing, sow sparingly the precious 
seed, haul straw instead of wheat to market, feed 
the people with scant impure food, and finally 
calls on others whom he styles mules, to rush 
down to the seat of Satan's kingdom, and destroy 
a monster he calls vain ambition which he as- 
sumes prompts a great many of our ministers 
in the work and labor of love whereunto they 
profess to be called. Such please your honor 
are the charges, complaints and specifications 
we bring against this mule and we hope most 
honorable judges and serene sovereign as you 
are well acquainted with the law and are the 
chief judges and executors thereof that you 
will aid us in the investigation and prosecution 
of this case and that we shall by your assistance 
and council bring things to a happy issue, so 
that truth and justice shall be established in our 
midst. All responded amen, and Mr. Horse takes 
his seat. 

Judge Elephant — Mr. Mule, you have heard 
the charges and complaints, do you plead guilty 
or not guilty ; in other words are you the author 
of the manuscript Mr. Horse is in possession 
of — the contents of which you have just heard? 
Mule examines manuscript and answeres I con- 
fess that I am the author of said manuscript; 
but deny the charge of falsehood and slander 
whereof I am accused. Well says the judge 
you have been summonsed before this tribunal 
for trial relative to these charges, are you ready ? 
Ready most excellent judges and gracious sover- 
eign. Will you speak for yourself or have 



102 Fools for Christ. 

some one to speak for you? I prefer making 
my own defence, if it please your honor. Well 
you are permitted to speak for yourself. Mules 
first speech. 

I think myself happy most excellent judges 
and exalted king because I am permitted to 
speak for myself this day before you touching 
all things whereof I am accused, especially be- 
cause I know you to be expert in all laws and 
customs of the church, and that you have knowl- 
edge of the foolish preaching of some of these 
ponies. There is one thing that was not men- 
tioned in the bill of complaints that is very hurt- 
ful to the ponies, and that is the claim that the 
mule is the best symbol of the Christian ministry. 
As we deem this one of the most important 
topics under consideration I wish to call atten- 
tion to the history of my tribe as it is given in 
the Scriptures for the purpose of establishing 
this position ; and if I succeed in this ; you will 
understand by what right and authority I spoke 
and wrote in such strong, positive terms con- 
cerning the ponies. 

Most excellent judges and gracious Sovereign ; 
in the Scriptures we learn that from remote ages 
my tribe has been associated with the people 
of God and have done much in making the his- 
tory of the church. 

In support of this proposition we call your 
attention to a passage in the twenty-sixth chapter 
of the book of Genesis, verse twenty-four : And 
these are the children of Zibeon both Ajah and 
Anah; thi. was that Anah that found the mules 
in the wilderness as he fed the asses of Zibeon, 



Fools for Christ. 103 

his father. The reason why we call special 
attention to this passage is that many of the 
learned claim that we are comparatively of recent 
origin and we wish to correct this mistake. You 
see that according to this plain declaration of 
Scripture we were discovered or found in the 
wilderness by one Anah, who lived in the days 
of the patriarchs, and this fact forever settles 
the question of our remote antiquity. Mr. Horse 
shakes his head, and the mule becomes a little 
confused and pauses ; where upon Mr. Horse 
begs leave to make a correction ; opens an old 
Encyclopedia, and reads that this word mule 
in the original, signifies hotsprings, or fountains 
of warm water. And that one Robinson remarks 
that five or six miles east of the Dead Sea, and 
consequently in the neighborhood of Mount Seir 
not far from where this man lived is a place 
celebrated among the Greeks and Romans for 
its warm baths ; but it is thought by some 
•that this signifies a people whom this Anah 
surprised and defeated. And Michaelis con- 
jectures that the Israelites first became acquainted 
with mules in the war which David carried on 
with Zabah king of Nisilis, an account of which 
we have in the first part of the eighth chapter 
of second Samuel. " Oh yes, resorts Mule, you 
men of learning are always looking into some 
old book and you will have it that we are of 
recent origin regardless of the Scripture; and 
whoever heard of Mule meaning hot springs or 
people. Well it may be that we were considered 
people in olden times and were treated with 
more respect than we are in these latter days; 



104 Fools for Christ. 

and during our defence we purpose giving the 
impudent ponies and presumptuous horses in the 
ministry a hot water bath, not from the spring 
in the neighborhood of Mount Seir, but the never 
failing fountain of God's word : The king inter- 
rupts saying : " Let not him that girdeth on 
his harness boast himself as he that putteth it 
off." Far be it, for be it from your humble serv- 
ant, honorable king, to be boastful; but with 
due respect, modesty and humility, even while 
smarting under a sense of injustice, pointed by 
insult — would I vindicate myself and show by 
fair argument and testimony of their own dis- 
courses that what I said concerning the pony 
preachers is true, and their charges false and 
complaints unjust. 

I shall now call your attention to the fact that 
in olden times we were associated with the most 
distinguished characters spoken of in the Bible, 
and have you take cognizance of the fact that 
we have been auxiliaries in performing some 
of the most extraordinary events that have oc- 
cured in the world's history. According to the 
authority just read, we appeared in Israel dur- 
ing the reign of king David. 

Aftre a reign of nearly forty years he realized 
that he must soon go the way of all the earth, 
and leave his kingdom to another. According 
to divine instigation and arrangement his son 
Solomon was to succeed him to the throne; but 
Adonojah an older son knowing that his father 
David could not live much longer was preparing 
to gain it by usurpation; David having been 
informed of this fact had Zadoc the priest, and 



Fools for Christ. 105 

Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of 
Jehoiada called and they came before him; and 
he said unto them, " Take with you the servants 
of your lord and cause Solomon my son to ride 
upon mine own mule, and bring him down to 
Gihon and let Zadok the priest and Nathan the 
prophet and anoint him king over Israel and 
blow with the trumpet and say God save king 
Solomon. They did so ; and the people came up 
after him, making music with pipes and re- 
joicing with great joy. And when they reached 
the city they made it ring with music and 
shouts of gladness — the conspiracy was broken 
up and Solomon was safely seated upon the 
throne. So my tribe were doubly honored in 
this event. King David owned a mule — thereby 
showing his appreciation of them, and he had 
Solomon his son to ride on this mule when he 
went to be anointed king of Israel. And he 
must have been partial to mules, for his friends 
and admirers who brought him presents of 
various kinds, brought him mules also at a rate 
year by year. But they did not bring him 
enough ; So he sent down to Egypt for more 
mules. From the day of his coronation he valued 
my tribe highly. Solomon rode on a mule on the 
day he was anointed king of Israel ; and honor- 
able judges bear in mind this is an argument in 
.favor of the position that the mule is symbol of 
the ministry The Czar of Russia and the Sultan 
of Turkey ought to learn this lesson and practice 
it. Because the preacher was wise, he taught the 
people knowledge. He would not, could not 
have done this if he had not been wise. Preacher 



lo6 Fools for Christ. 

Solomon was wise, because God had given him 
wisdom and an understanding heart that he 
might know him and understand his word. — And 
this he does for all his preachers ; hence all of 
God's preachers are wise — among them there is 
not so much as one fool. We do not mean that 
all who attempt to preach are wise; for many 
who do so are so foolish they do not know what 
preaching means ; but we mean that all who are 
called of God to the work of the ministry are 
truly wise, in the Scriptural or divine sense of 
the word. We do not mean that they have 
studied everything, learned everything and know 
all things ; but we mean this, they have good 
sense, sound understanding and that they are 
teachable and will keep on learning. Give in- 
struction to a wise man, and he will yet be wiser 
— teach a just man, and he will increase in learn- 
ing; but fools hate knowledge, and will not re- 
ceive instruction. All of God's preachers are 
wise — they can learn, do learn, and understand 
the doctrine of godliness sufficient to teach 
others. 

Because the preacher was wise he taught the 
people knowledge. This work is progressive. 
The preacher grows in grace and knowledge. 
The wiser he becomes the more diligent he is in 
his vocation. He studies the divine, in nature 
and in the providence of God applies himself to 
books — good books — especially the book of truth 
the word of God which is no lie. And Solomon 
studied so much that it wearied his flesh and this 
should be an admonition to others not to study 
to excess; because there is no end to making 



Fools for Christ. 107 

many books. But Solomon was diligent in study. 
He sought to find out acceptable words — pleas- 
ant words, right words — even words of truth. 
He was careful in selecting the word that would 
convey the correct idea; and he set his proverbs 
in order so that they might be understood and 
easily remembered. 

What about the method of preaching. In 
olden times they read out of the book of the law 
— gave the sense, and caused the people to un- 
derstand the reading. Christ was the greatest of 
all preachers, how did he preach? sometimes he 
followed the same plan — Either read or had it 
done — and expounded the Scriptures — better, 
perhaps to have Christ within the heart, his 
love on mind, and preach more from within, less 
from without. 



io8 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XV. 

MULES REPLY TO CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS. 

Most honorable judges and gracious sover- 
eign, when mule made that little speech in the 
Kidron church as a pleasant retort on pony for 
what he said concerning the double span of 
horses, he had no idea of getting in the condition 
he now finds himself. But such is life, we know 
not what a day or an hour may bring forth, 
neither do we know what will be the result of a 
word or a sentence. Just here we are reminded 
of the language of the apostle ; Behold what a 
great matter a little fire kindleth. 

With regard to the speech that gave origin to 
this discussion and trial we have no apologies to 
offer; neither shall we recall or alter a single 
statement therein. For we believe it to be a fact 
that there are many engaged in the work of the 
ministry who are burthened with the spirit of 
vain ambition ; and who strive harder for earthly 
honor and glory than they do for the honor and 
glory of God and his Christ. And with regard 
to the light superficial work of the ponies, es- 
pecially the bobtailed roached ponies in the min- 
istry; they cannot justly deny since they not only 
practice it; but even resort to argument to 
justify and vindicate themselves in so doing. 



Fools for Christ. 109 

One of the arguments they employ in their de- 
fence is that the common people do not under- 
stand nor appreciate substantial, profound 
preaching. Cannot a minister be profound and 
yet simple — Paul was a solid, deep preacher, was 
he not simple? — did not the people understand 
him? The man who is learned in Scripture 
and knows how to analize its grand texts is 
much easier understood than those who know 
nothing only to rant, make a noise and keep up 
confusion. Was not Paul a profound preacher? 
and yet the people undestood him, and were in- 
structed and edified. When he came in contact 
with babes who could not bear meat, he fed them 
with the sincere milk of the word. It is much 
easier to understand something than nothing; so 
this argument is abortive. 

Another argument to which they resort to 
justify themselves, is taken from the parable 
of the sower. Oh say they the preacher's business 
is to go along and simply sow the seed broad- 
cast over the land any where and every where 
without preparing the soil. Now we note that 
Jesus was the promiscuous sower of the parable ; 
and many of the difficulties with which he came 
in contact among the Jews can be removed from 
the Gentiles by the ministers of the gospel. The 
Jews were peculiarly estranged from God; and 
they were almost senseless of spiritual things. 
According to phophecy this people's heart was 
waxed gross and their ears were dull of hearing 
and their eyes they had closed; lest they should 
see with their eyes and hear with their ears and 
understand with their heart and be converted and 



iio Fools for Christ. 

healed." And while the same dificuties exist to 
some extent among the Gentiles yet they are not 
so formidable because they have not the preju- 
dices and proclivities growing out of the national 
institutions and ceremonies of the Jewish system 
of religion, to which they adhered with so much 
tenacity— and furthermore they are not so averse 
to spiritual instruction. And with the lamp of 
light the ax, crobar and hammer of the gospel, 
ministers can chase away ignorance, cut down the 
hedges, thorns, briers and thistles; and pry up 
the rocks and break them in pieces — remove the 
rubbish from Emanuels land; and with gospel 
plows, long and keen, they can break it up — make 
it productive — then sow the good seed ; and if 
some should fall on shallow soil, water it the 
more ; and scare off the birds with gospel guns — 
perchance it may spring up and grow and bear 
much fruit. 

The minister's business is to preach the word 
the whole word; and apply all the means of 
grace. He should be careful to expound the 
Scriptures; not go about and chant what we 
think ; and what we believe ; and this is our opin- 
ion; and science teaches so and so. His duty 
is to teach the people what is the mind and will 
of the Spirit — whose thoughts are not as our 
thoughts ; and whose ways are not as our ways , 
for saith he as the heavens are high above the 
earth ; so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

In olden times God denounced false prophets 
who did not speak his word; but used as a sub- 
stitute their own opinions and dreams. He did 



Foots for Christ. tit 

not send them ; yet they ran. He had not spoken 
to them ; yet they prophesied and they prophesied 
lies in his name saying I have dreamed, I have 
dreamed. They were prophets of the deceit of 
their own hearts — which thought to cause the 
people to forget the name of God by their 
dreams. Now saith the Lord: Let thep rophet 
that hath a dream tell a dream; and he that 
hath my word; let him speak my word faith- 
fully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith 
the Lord. Behold I am against them that prop- 
esy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell 
them, and do cause my people to err by their lies 
and their lightness ; yet I sent them not, nor com- 
manded them ; therefore they shall not profit this 
people at all, saith the Lord. Let me give you 
some examples of pony preaching; and most 
honorable judges you will suffer me to be very 
plain as I am now on trial and wish to vindicate 
myself of the accusation of slander and falsehood ; 
that has been brought against me by these ponies. 
Mule once heard a splendid pony — one he loves 
dearly ; with whom he used to caper and play — 
preach from this text: My grace is sufficient for 
thee. No doubt some good points were made; 
but before mule could see them clearly a flower 
or diamond would be thrown into his eye; and 
he failed to see anything substantial and good ; 
and of course left the house of God disappointed. 
We will try to describe our situation at the time 
and the impression that was made on us. It was 
more like trying to look at birds eggs in a nest 
situated in a bunch of dense bushes, covered with 
all manner of flowers around which butterflies 



ti2 Fools for Christ. 

and humming birds were playing than anything 
else we can think of. The mind never reverts to 
the occasion without having a vision of the hang- 
ing gardens of Nebuchadnezzar — a little to the 
right of which when viewed from our standpoint 
and considerably higher up he sees a chandelier 
with a lamp — in the center — having the circum- 
ference decorated with all manner of beautiful 
things — the whole sustained by an angel's finger 
arched with a rainbow. Mule regrets till this 
day he did not get the good there was in that 
sermon — the mind realizes a vacancy from the 
disappointment; and pony would confer a great 
favor on mule by sending him the skeleton; for 
most everybody was pleased with the sermon 
and said it was a fine one. If you want bees and 
butterflies in the church let the preachers deco- 
i/' rate the pulpit with flowers. But if you want 
strong men and women and healthy fat growing 
babes let the preachers expound the Scriptures, 
issue wholesome food — the milk, wine, meat 
and bread of the gospel and draw from the great 
fountain an abundance of the water of life to 
quench the thirst of hot, weary, fainting travelers. 
Another preaches from this text; I know that 
my Redeemer liveth. This pony has not studied 
his grammar much, but he has read Methodist 
Pulpit South and draws freely from a sermon 
on the reserrection. He does not take it as it 
comes; but he selects a beautiful sentence here 
and there and fills the space with commonplace 
thoughts and bad language. Horrid you say; 
and yet we once heard an old, long white 
bearded man say he could out preach some of 



Fools for Christ 113 

Qur bishops. When will the ponies quit stealing 
the fruit of other men's labors; learn the Scrip- 
tures and preach the word. How frequently is it 
the case that they get up and read, woe is me 
if I preach not the gospel ; and the first sentence 
they utter convicts them of the theft for which 
they ought to be hung with the rope of ecclesi- 
astic hemp. 

Some of them must display their genius and 
originality at the expense of the text, depart from 
the natural channel, or fly off in a tangent and 
go, you know not where, like a wandering comet. 
Here is an example of this kind from a pony 
that has a heavy long mane and tail ; and you 
remember the sentiments of the mule toward 
such. The text: Unstable as water, thou shalt 
not excel. The pony's sermon was substantially 
this: I am not going to preach the funeral of 
ancient Rubin; for I am after the Rubinites in 
this country and in this house. Said nothing 
about the sin of Rubin ; and while he claimed 
that there were many Rubinites in this country, 
we do not suppose there is one. Here is the 
principal part of the thing in a nutshell. 
At the age of sixteen or eighteen a youth 
should decide whether he is going to be a 
farmer, mechanic, schoolteacher, doctor, lawyer 
or preacher and persist theein during life at all 
hazards. Then he dwelt at length on the insta- 
bility of water and was careful to impress us 
with the astounding fact that it is a very accom- 
modating element and invariably assumes the 
shape of the vessels into which it is poured and the 
channels through which it runs but did not in- 



H4 Fools for Christ. 

form us that its natural shape is a sphere which 
is demonstrated in dewdrops suspended to leaves 
and flowers and in falling showers. How much 
better to relate the incidental circumstances con- 
nected with the text why it was spoken expose 
the sin if it originated in iniquity; and then fol- 
low the natural order of the subject — then the 
people would be instructed and edified ; and they 
would understand the Scripture. If any man 
speak ; let him speak as the oracles of God ; if 
any man minister; let him do it as of the ability 
which God giveth, that God is all things may be 
glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise 
and dominion for ever and ever Amen. 

Another who is a nick-tailed pony with heavy 
mane and muscles, a stalwart among the ponies 
in discussing the text, Go ye into all the world 
and preach the gospel to every creature ; said that 
two difficulties existed in the mind of Christ with 
regard to the disciples on accomplishing the end 
of their mission. Difficulties in the mind of 
Christ. Wonderful discovery ; What exalted 
visions had he of the eternal Word, or Logos 
the source of all light and knowledge the maker 
and solver of all problems. The true light that 
lighteneth every man that cometh into the world 
with the exception of this pony ; and we hope 
his time is near at hand. When kindly asked 
what he meant by it ; he denied saying it ; and 
when another mule who was present said he so 
understood him he became a little vexed and 
wrathful and kindly said " for he is a good pony," 
that the mule was a har case and a rascal ; and 
that he just went along. Yes he did that time ; 



Fools f§r Christ. 115 

and he went furiously into error; for there are 
no difficulties in the mind of Christ ; He is infinite 
in undestanding and in wisdom ; And ministers 
should observe the example of Solomon. Be- 
cause the preacher was wise he still taught the 
people knowledge; yea he gave good heed, and 
sought out and set in order many proverbs. The 
preacher sought to find out acceptable words; 
and that which was written w T as upright, even 
words of truth. The ponies ought not to become 
offended with the mules for correcting them; 
they want them to improve. Teach a wise man 
and he will keep on learning — but fools despise 
correction. 

Did the prophet Elijah mock the worshipers 
of Baal ; so mock I this light, worthless preaching 
and its advocates. What is the chaff to the wheat 
saith the Lord. Now if mule were to hitch to a 
little truck wagon, throw in chaff, and a few 
handfuls of wheat and some old musty crackers 
with straw, tie it down hard and fast — tack 
on some flowers and ribbons and little bells ; and 
at the word of command move off double-quick 
— make the gospel wagon fly high in the air — 
display the beautiful ribbons and flowers, make 
the merry bells tingle — then the ponies would 
gather around, look on in admiration, slap their 
hands and exclaim hurrah for the towhead. 
But mule disdains such a load ; and if he were to 
suffer it tacked on to him he would get scared 
and run away with it and hide in the hole of a 
rock and blush until the judgment day and get 
up in confusion. Now children take home with 
you some of this straw and give it to your calves 



n6 Fools for Christ. 

and if it has gospel enough in it to make them 
thrive come back and get some more — if not stay 
at home and study your bibles and Sunday- 
school lessons, or go to some place where you 
can get the sincere milk of the word that you 
may grow thereby. 

It is almost impossible to conceive the extent 
of the presumption and impudence of these ponies 
and horses in the ministry. They not only try to 
keep the mules from pulling; but they even defy 
the asses and try to prevent their braying. This 
has been the case from remote ages of the world. 
They tried to close the mouths of the ancient 
prophets of John the Baptist, of Jesus Christ and 
his disciples. Do you not remember that the 
horses about Cornith tried to hinder Paul the 
greatest and grandest ass of all the asses. They 
even went so far as toderide his person and voice 
just as they do in our days. Said they his bodily 
presence is weak and his speech contemptible. 
Did they not try to prevent Luther, Melancthon, 
Zuingle and their colaborers. In later years 
did they not try to hinder the Weslies, White- 
field, Fletcher, Bunyan. What of the first heroes 
of our own country ? Asberry, Coke, McKendree 
and the immortal Bascom? But despit insults, 
reproaches, slanders, persecutions, chains, jails, 
swords and fires the asses brayed. They may 
bridle the mules and browbeat them — pull their 
ears and tie rocks to their tails and keep them 
from braying; but they cannot thus hinder my 
noble sire; bray hem ust, he will, God has or- 
dained he shall bray. The Spirit of the Lord is 
upon him — the Spirit of knowledge and under- 



Fools for Christ. 117 

standing; and he has an unquenchable love for 
his mother, the church, and a burning zeal for 
her prosperity and the salvation of all her chil- 
dren, and he can not hold his peace — the voice 
said cry ; and he must do so ; and though they 
may curb him for a while yet God will lead him 
out upon Mount Gerizim or Ebal or upon the 
second Mount of Olives where he can have a good 
view of Spiritual Israel and he will bray so long 
and loud that the whole church will hear his clear 
notes and plaintive voice. Noah Webster en- 
tered college seemingly a dull boy ; and his school 
fellows called him the bull. One of them gradu- 
ated and was gone three years; after which he 
returned on a visit. Something was said in 
his presence concerning Webster; Why he en- 
quired, is the bull here yet? Yes, answered the 
professor ; and he is going to bellow so loud that 
he will shake this Nation. So it is with the asses 
in the ministry, they will bray and bray so loud 
that they will shake the church ;and it is very 
foolish in the ponies to attempt to hinder them; 
for this only causes them to bray the longer and 
the louder. Said cousin Pat, " An Englishman 
has the right to speak once, an American twice; 
and an Irishman until he is heard. So it is with 
the asses they have the divine right and authority 
to bray, and bray and bray on until they are 
heard ; and they will do it, must do it ; or their 
call and commission would be abortive and God 
does not do business in this way; when he says, 
to his faithful servants preach, they must preach, 
do preach. 

Now honorable judges as this is my last speech 



n8 Fools for Christ. 

I wish to produce a few other arguments in sup- 
port of my proposition that the mule is a better 
symbol of the Christian minister than a pony. 
It is a fact read and known by all considerate 
men that a mule is much more intelligent than a 
pony. It is but very little trouble to teach him 
to work to a plow or wagon, buggy or a dump 
cart and they can be taught to work without a 
driver. It requires a great deal more time to 
teach the dull, stupid pony these things than it 
does a mule. And when he once learns his les- 
sons he never forgets them ; but the pony forgets 
much of his lesson in a few days, and has to learn 
it over the next time he is hitched. The truth 
is the mule is nearly as smart as his distinguished 
sire which is the wisest of all quadrupeds and is 
therefore a good symbol of the intelligence of the 
ministry. 

Again the mule is a cautious, prudent animal. 
He does not blunder along and fall into the ditch 
like an ox or an ass — and have to be taken out on 
the Sabbath day. Drive him into a pit or a sink 
hole if you can. Even a foolish, mean mule that 
runs away with a plow or wagon, has too much 
sense to break his legs and head against stumps, 
fences and trees as do the ponies. And when he 
discovers that he is in a difficulty, and is liable to 
get hurt, he stops right still until his master 
comes and relieves him. In this respect the mule 
is a good symbol of the prudent minister. He 
shuns that which is evil and cleaves to that which 
is good — shies ofT from the haunts of wickedness 
— and keeps away from the pit of hell ; and if he 
accidentally gets in to difficulty and does not 



Fools for Christ. 119 

know the way out he stands still, waits for the 
salvation of the Lord as did the Israelites at the 
red sea — and when God orders them to go for- 
ward they do so; and he leads them out of all 
danger. 

Again mules have good eyes. They can see 
well and rarely ever go blind. Sometimes foolish 
boys and drivers knock them out with rocks and 
whips ; but you scarcely ever see a mule the eyes 
of which are naturally imperfect. For his strong 
good eye he is indebted to his noble sire. Though 
his mother may be blind from a colt ; yet her foal 
if a mule is most sure to inherit good eyes. 
Wise farmers take advantage of this fact and 
raise mules from mare's that have deficient eyes. 
Mules not only have good eyes but they can see 
well in darkness sa well as in the light ; and can 
hear well too. In these respects he is a good 
symbol of the Christian ministry. Said Jesus to 
his disciples : Blessed are your eyes for they see 
and your ears for they hear. The true minister 
both sees and hears, perceives and understands 
the word of truth ; and discernes between truth 
and falsehood — can distinguish the chaff from the 
wheat. 

The mule is related to two tribes ; hence he can 
associate with both. He can go out among the 
ponies and horses romp and play with them until 
he gets tired then he can lay aside his pony role 
— mischief and foolishness — assume an air of 
gravity and dignity, go over in the adjoining 
pasture and asociate with his venerable sire, and 
grand-dame of historic fame, and his mother's 
half brothers and sisters of both tribes. So the 



120 'Fools for Christ. 

mule is not restricted by nature to one tribe or 
family — can associate with many and adapt him- 
self to the manners, customs and circumstances 
of all, and his double blood gives him the advan- 
tage in speech, and can mimick both sire and 
dame and all their descendants. 

Pony interrupts saying you cannot speak the 
language of either distinctly — you cannot say 
shiboleth — mule answers but I can say siboleth in 
two languages distinctly enough to be understood. 
Moreover Isaiah saith with stammering lips and 
another tongue will I speak to this people, and I 
am a splendid symbol of such a preacher as was 
St. Paul who was almost a perfect model. He 
was free from all men ; yet he made himself serv- 
ant to all, both Jew and Greek that he might gain 
the more. To the Jew he became as a Jew that 
he might gain the Jew. To the Greek he became 
as a Greek that he might gain the Greek. He 
became all things to all men that he by all means 
might save some. 



Fools for Christ. 121 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Honorable judges and sovereign: to con- 
vince you that the mule Is not a suitable sym- 
bol of the ministry we call attention to this 
fundamental principle in the divine govern- 
ment which was established in the beginning of 
the creation; and immediately after the comple- 
tion thereof, the observance of this law was re- 
quired. And God said, let the earth bring forth 
the living creature after his kind, cattle and 
creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his 
kind, and it was 50. And God made the beast 
of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their 
kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the 
earth after his kind; and God saw that it was 
good. To enforce and insure the observance of 
this law, it is repeated in Leviticus. Thou shalt 
not let they cattle gender with diverse kinds; 
thou shalt not sow thy fields with mingled seed. 
The reason this law was given is that this min- 
gling of seed is corrupting and degenerates the 
species; and in some cases the mongrel will not 
produce offspring; and excessive amalgmation 
of seed and species and tribes might prove fatal 
to animate existence. 

It is contrary to God's law for the different 



122 Fools for Christ. 

races of men to mingle. According to the Scrip- 
ture they are made of one blood ; but there is a 
great difference in their physiognomy, color, dis- 
position and habits ; and is it God's will and order 
for them to keep separate and avoid amalgama- 
tion. Then it is said in the Scripture he deter- 
mined the times before appointed and the bounds 
of their habitation. The Jews have observed 
this primordial law concerning the mingling of 
seed better than another class of people. Though 
they have been dispersed and scattered among 
all other nations for more than eighteen hundred 
years yet they remain a distinct people to this 
day. Other races have violated this law and are 
considerably mixed. Now if the races had ob- 
served God's boundary lines and laws of pro- 
duction ; the negroes would have been in Africa ; 
the Caucasian and Indian with all their tribes 
would have had their respective countries and 
we would never have seen a mulatto, mule, or 
mixed herd of any kind without it chanced to be 
of the very lowest order of brutes. If the peo- 
ples and nations had observed these laws of 
God strictly ; no doubt they would hive been 
more handsome and powerful ; and a great deal 
wiser and better than they are ; and the earth 
would not have been cursed with carnage and 
war. 

The mule is a valuable animal and for some 
purposes he is superior to the horse or ass. 
Whether cr not this atones for the sin of crossing 
the breed is a question for God to decide. 

It is almost useless for us to state that this 
animal is a hybrid ; and is therefore a good 



Fools for Christ. 123 

symbol of mongrelism among the races of men. 
And we wish to impress the young that this is 
a sin against God and teach them to keep their 
blood pure. Treat other races with due respect 
and kindness. Converse with them when neces- 
sary on business, politics or religion ; but do not 
cultivate familiarity, and come in close contact 
with them lest you be tempted to commit adul- 
tery and have your blood running through veins 
of different color to your own. Flee youthful 
lusts which war against the soul. 

The mule is a good symbol of a mongrel re- 
ligion a thing to be abhorred. The religion of the 
bible is a pure distinct element is of God, and is 
perfect of itself and should not be mixed with 
the vain traditions of men nor with the useless 
philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome; nor 
with the popular science and speculative theories 
of the present age. We love true science and 
true science is incorporated with true religion; 
but Christianity is a perfect system of righteous- 
nes and holyness by itself and needs no addition 
that man can devise to enhance its value or its 
efficiency. Hence the religion of the Bible 
should not be adulterated with any foreign ele- 
ment produced by man. 

The mule may serve as a symbol of an awful 
day spoken of in prophecy. It shall come to pass 
in that day that the light shall not be clear nor 
dark ; but it shall be one day which shall be 
known to the Lord, not day nor night; but it 
shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be 
light 

Mule boasted of his double gift in the use of 



124 Fools for Christ. 

the tongue. We will now turn to the bible and 
see what Nehemiah did with people of this time 
in his day. He said: In those days I saw Jews 
that had married wives of Ashdod of Ammon, 
and of Moah; and their children spoke half in 
the speech of Ashdod and could not speak in the 
Jews' language, but according to the language of 
each people. And I contended with them and 
cursed them and smote certain of them, and 
plucked off their hair, and made them swear by 
God saying ; Ye shall not give your daughters 
unto their sons nor take their daughters unto 
your sons or for yourselves. Good language is 
necessary in order that the people may be prop- 
erly instructed in righteousness and this, is prom- 
ised in the Scriptures ; and no doubt at the restor- 
ation all nations will speak the same tongue. 

No doubt the policy of the Methodist church 
in teaching the Chinese the English language in 
order to bring them to a knowledge of salvation 
through our God, Jesus Christ is a good one. 
The mule responds " Mr. Horse we are not going 
to let you off so easily on the question of 
tongues." In olden times preachers of your sect, 
priest and prophet erred through strong drink, 
they erred in religion and stumbled in judgment, 
hence God said he would teach the children of 
them to whom they were sent with stammering 
lips and another tongue ; and with them he pro- 
posed to teach the children knowledge ; and make 
them understand doctrine and the divine order is 
precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line 
upon line, line upon line ; here a little and there 
a little. The millennium has not dawned yet, and 



Foots for Christ. 12$ 

there is still a necessity for the gift of tongues 
in order to diffuse the precious knowledge of 
Christ. To all of which we agree ; but honorable 
judges the mule is an ugly, stupid, treacherous 
animal ; and while it is conceeded he is a good 
puller he has nothing else to commend him as a 
suitable symbod of the ministry. The truth is 
God would abhor a ministry that he would repre- 
sent He is too stupid and ungovernable to 
symbolize an humble obedient servant of the 
church of Christ. Away with such foolish argu- 
ments, they are to silly to be respected by this in- 
telligent court from which there is no appeal. 

Now honorable king and supreme judges in- 
duge pony in a little digression as this is the first 
and no doubt will be the last opportunity I shall 
be allowed to speak. I wish to call attention to an 
important consideration that my distinguished 
representative overlooked in favor of the horse 
as a symbol and that is his beauty. What other 
animal on earth is so well formed and is so at- 
tractive and beautiful as a white horse with neck 
arched like the rainbow, the symbol of God's 
mercy and forbearance to man and a token of the 
covenant that he will never deluge the world 
again with water as he did in the days of Noah. 
In addition to this his step is proud and his car- 
riage majestic, and he is universally admired 
among the people, Barbarians, Jews or Chris- 
tians ; and the authorities of the church ought 
to have an eye to the beautiful and handsome in 
choosing ministers, especially those that are to 
be sent to foreign lands, because they are more 
attractive and are more likely to excite the ad- 



126 Fools for Christ. 

miration and esteem of the heathen than those 
who are homely and wanting in pleasant man- 
ners, grace and dignity. Tut, tut, responds a 
melancholy voice, that reminds me of an argu- 
ment that the horse preachers employed against 
Paul at Corinth. Tradition teaches us and his 
own writing sustains the same that he was a little 
low hunched backed, stooped shouldered, bald 
headed man; too mean and insignificant in per- 
sonal appearance to deserve the attention and re- 
spect of Christ they argued ; and for this reason 
they would excommunicate him and forestall him 
in his mission ; which assumption he answered 
thusly : Do ye look on things after the outward 
appearance? if any man trust in himself that he 
is Christs, let him of himself think this again, 
that as he is Christs, even so are we Christs. 
Ah, continues the voice according to the Scrip- 
ture Christ was homely in his humiliation. True 
some ancient writer speaks of his personal ap- 
pearance and repreents him as being tall, com- 
manding and fine features and beautiful expres- 
sion. From this discription artists have drawn 
pictures of him the most fascinating imaginable, 
and crown him with a diadem of light, which to 
us savors of idolatry. But Isaiah says of him: 
He hath no form nor comliness, and when we 
shall see him there is no beauty that we should 
admire him. Ah, pony you are indulging u 
fancies trying to deceive the people with fool- 
ish fancies, trying to steal a poor ass's crown. 
Why do you want an asses crown. How would 
you look in heaven having on an asses crown. 
It would drop down over you eyes so you could 



Fools for Christ. 127 

hardly see the golden streets of the great city, 
and you would be an object of derision, cause the 
angels to laugh. So pony got offended and 
ashamed and now he is gone so we close the 
discussion. 

The discussion over, the judges hold consulta- 
tion, acquit the mule, render a verdict in favor 
of Assinus, and award King goat a ram's horn 
for the princely manner in which he presided 
over the court. Said horn to be used to summon 
the court in future if it should be necessary. 



12$ Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE MULE'S SECOND TRIAL. 

It is now about 7 o'cock p. m., of the 31 day 
of March, 1895. Six years and nearly a half 
since mule penned the story about the way the 
ponies plow, fallow ground and cultivate Eman- 
uels land ; which trial before a tribunal composed 
of judges, Ox, Elephant, Camel and King Goat, 
in a church called Lebanon, situated in Lime- 
stone county, Ala. In connection with the afore- 
said trial there was a discussion between horse, 
ass and mule as to which of them was the 
proper symbol of the Christian ministry, all of 
which is recorded in manuscript entitled, " The 
Ass's Victory." 

This is not only the last day of March, but is 
also the Friday before Easter. A day kept in 
commemoration of the resurrenction of the 
Saviour, while this day Friday is a day of fast- 
ing, commemorative of his crucifixion. So this is 
an important period in the church. 

This day called Good Friday is by some con- 
sidered lucky day; and many gardeners think it 
a favorable time to plant seeds of choice vege- 
tables; so the mule at the request of his spouse 
whom he calls Dolly, plowed the ground and 
helped to plant early beans and rare corn. After 



Fools for Christ. 129 

the mule had finished his work and the day was 
well nigh spent he took a stroll through the 
woods and had many pleasant reveries. You 
can better understand his moods after we state 
a few facts connected with the day. The winter 
has been unusually severe and the cold weather 
continues; and this is the first day that has felt 
real springlike during the month. It would have 
been bright, but for the dinginess caused by the 
smoke caused by the burning of logs, brush and 
leaves by the farmers who are preparing their 
lands to raise bread for man, and beast and bird. 

It reminds one of the vision Isaiah had of tno 
glory of the Lord in the year King Uzziah died. 
Says he, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne 
high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 

Above it stood the seraphims ; each one had six 
wings, with twain he covered his face, and with 
twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did 
fly. And one cried unto another and said Holy, 
holy, holy, is the God of Hosts ; the whole earth 
is full of his glory. And the posts of the door 
moved at the voice of him that cried, and the 
house was filled with smoke. 

Just before sunset we climbed up the eastern 
slope of a steep, high hill, where we had a full 
view of the king of day, whose face was over- 
spread with a veil of dark hue ; which suggested 
this scripture. Now we see through a glass 
darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in 
part, but then shall we know also as we are 
known. About the time the king of day sinks 
behind the western mountains, the majestic 
queen of night rose up in the east with face veiled 



130 Fools for Christ. 

with crimson and one thought of him who came 
from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah, 
he that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the 
greatness of his strength : He that speaketh in 
righteousness, mighty to save. And our thoughts 
naturally revert to his Spouse, the church, who 
looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, 
clear as the sun and terrible as an army with ban- 
ners; but the church at Bethel at this time is 
veiled with smoke like the natural moon and sun 
and she might blush and say as once did the 
Spouse, though with not the same apology and 
consistency. Look not upon me because I am 
black. 

The March lion has kept up almost a continual 
howling to-day, but he did not vaunt himself 
much. As if he knew this was his last day for 
this year, and that ushering in all fool's day would 
so modify him that his name would not be so 
frightful. So when the Lion of the Tribe of 
Judah is near the devil ceases his roaring and the 
children of righteousness have peace and fearless 
hearts. 

Mule's reverie did not close with the setting 
of the sun and the moon. You observe from the 
description of the day and especially of the even- 
ing that it is not only a favorable time for medi- 
tation and reverie, but the night is a suitable time 
for those who love the chase to be out with horns 
and dogs to have a lively race with hare or iua. 
In reverie mule hears a peculiar sound and en- 
quires of his Spouse who is nerby what it is. 
Is it a cow ? no it is only a cow's horn. Some boys 
out hunting. No it is not a cow's horn, it goes 



Fools for Christ. 131 

toot-toot, the sound I hear goes hong hong; it 
must be King Goat's ram horn that was awarded 
him more than six years ago for the dignified 
manner in which he presided over the court 
when the mule was tried for slandering the ponies 
and the horse and ass discussed the question as 
to which of them was the proper symbol of the 
Christian ministry. Some thing of interest to 
be looked after in the church for when said horn 
was presented to King Goat, he was informed 
that it was to be used only when something oc- 
cured in the church within his dominion which 
would necessitate his calling the members of his 
court together. Step to the door and look ; what 
do you see. Some one dashing along on a pony 
as if the wolves were after him. Now he calls 
at the gate Haloa! and is promptly answered, 
ha, da. What is wanted? Is this where Mr. 
Mule lives. What Mule? The mule who was 
tried some six years ago in Lebanon Church, 
Alabama, for slandering the ponies. I am he sir. 
Well, I am King Goat's captain, and have been 
ordered to summon you to appear before his 
tribunal in Bethel Church. Giles county, Tenn., 
to-morrow night at seven o'clock, which will be 
the first day of April, 1893, to S we an account of 
your stewardship ; for it has come to his ears 
that you are still agitating questions in the church 
that cause more or less disturbance, and dissat- 
isfaction especially among the ponies. If you 
doubt the authority of this summons we exhibit 
King Goat's ram's horn, which you no doubt 
recognize, and which is an emblem of his author- 
ity and power to convene this church court when- 



v 



132 Fools for Christ 

ever he in his wisdom thinks proper. Says the 
mule : I recognize not only the horn ; but also the 
sound thereof; and do not question the source 
of the summons and you may inform his majesty 
King Goat that I am his most obedient servant 
and that I shall promptly obey the summons. 

Well the captain has left as uncermoniously as 
he came ; and as the court does not convene until 
next day night, we shall relate some other inci- 
dence of our evening walk. 

The inquiry may be made, what was the mule 
strolling through the woods for in the evening? 
Well he is one of the creatures that cannot live 
by bread alone ; but by every word that proceeded- 
eth out of the mouth of God ; that is every good 
thing God has given us. Now he has a sharp 
appetite for that little animal which inhabits the 
woods and climbs among the branches of the 
trees. So after he had finished the work of ths 
day he shouldered his rifle and walked out among" 
the trees on the hill side, under the impression 
that the March lion would quit growling in time 
for these playful little creatures to venture out 
from their secret hiding places in the limbs and 
trunks of trees, to seek for nuts and acorns to 
appease their appetites, and frollic among the 
branches of the oak and hickory, and we would 
make sure of some of them for our breakfast; 
but in all this we were disappointed; so we got 
into a revery and now we wish to turn the whole 
thing to good account. 

Note we had a rifle gun, which is not often 
carried to the woods in this age of progress, it 
has been almost entirely superceeded by the shot 



Fools for Christ. 133 

gun. And it is quite mortifying to the mule that 
his eyes are failing and that in the near future he 
too will have to follow the fashion of the young 
sportsmen and use the shot gun, for the mule is 
not partial to the shot gun. He is not very highly 
impressed with the shot gun period nor with the 
shot gun idea, that are flying about. He does not 
like a shot gun boy, man, woman or girl nor 
a shot gun religion or church, and of all detest- 
able things a shot gun preacher is the most de- 
testable. Just think of a preacher going out to 
fight the devil with a shot gun. Why like 
Sampson, I would prefer the jaw bone of an 
ass. You may wish to know why we have such 
an aversion to the shot gun and especially to the 
shot gun preacher. Well the shot gun sends too 
much of its force backward and frequently hurts 
him who handles it worse than it does the game ; 
and so it is with the shot gun preacher, he fre- 
quently shoots backward and hurts the master's 
cause, while his enemies are untouched. Again 
it makes too much noise for the effect produced, 
and is an extravagant gun anyhow ; we prefer the 
rifle because it is more efficient, cheap, makes 
comparatively but little noise, only requires one 
ball to load it, and must be shot with a single eye. 
The truth is the rifle is more like Christ and cor- 
responds more with his teachings and religion 
than the shot gun. How readest thou ? The light 
of the body is the eye ; if therefore thine eye be 
single, the whole body shall be full of light. But 
if thine eye be evil, thy whole body should be 
full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in 
thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. No 



134 Fools for Christ. 

man can serve two masters, for either he will hate 
the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to 
the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon. When a child we learned that 
Scripture, and when a boy we learned to shoot 
with a rifle, and now we a growing old and even 
now we are in favor of rifle guns and rifle Chris- 
tians, and rifle preachers, and when we shoot 
with gun or gospel we want a mark of some 
sort to shoot at, for Paul taught us not to beat 
the air with fist, neither do we like to shoot 
at the air. So we are going to make a mark. 
Now we must tell you that this mark is placed on 
the head and heart of an old cunning, sly wolf, 
dressed in sheep's clothing, and there is no telling 
where we will find him. He may be in the 
sheepfold, if so he looks just like a sheep and 
it will be difficult to detect him. One good indi- 
cation we will give if he prefers the association 
of the fat sheep which have long wool and is 
never seen among the poor of the flock, only in 
sheep shearing, to get some fleece you may at 
least suspect that he is a wolf. At this time he 
may be skulking around with a flock of goats, 
for he is fond of the flesh of a kid or he may be 
lurking in some thicket or resting in his den in 
the mountains; or he may occupy some promi- 
nent place in the church. It matters not where he 
is we are going to search diligently for him, and 
whenever and wherever we find him we are go- 
ing to shoot him with a gospel rifle and if pos- 
sible give him a mortal wound. 

Lest you mistake the character we are after 
we will name two of his prominent character- 



Fools for Christ. 135 

istics and tell you whom he is like. He is covet- 
ous and is fond of dominion, therefore he loves 
money and position, and is the image of old 
Balaam. 

No doubt Jesus selected his first disciples from 
among fishermen from the fact that they as 
a class are further removed from the spirit of 
covetousness and imperialism than any other. 
Men who love filthy lucre have no time to go 
fishing; and those who aspire to dominion are 
too austentatious ; and either of thes traits dis- 
qualify any one for the work of faith and labor 
of love whereunto the true minister is called. As 
we are penning our revery which occurred on 
Good Friday eve, of course, we thought of the 
crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of our 
Lord, and of his appearance to his disciples and 
their astonishment and joy at his victory over 
death and the gloomy sepulchre. Subsequent to 
the first day of the week on which our Lord arose 
he went down to the Sea of Tiberias where a 
number of the disciples were fishing, and a colo- 
quy occurred between him and Simon Peter, 
which is of great interest to the ministry. The 
circumstances are as follows. The disciples were 
out in a ship fishing ; had toiled all night and had 
caught nothing. Early in the morning Jesus 
appeared on the shore, and called to the disciples, 
Children have ye here any meat, and was an- 
swered no. Said he to them; cast your net on 
the right side of the ship and ye shall find. They 
did so and were not able to draw the net for the 
multitude of fishes. One of the disciples recog- 
nized divine wisdom in the suggestion, and said 



136 Fools for Christ. 

it is the Lord. Peter who was naked girded on 
his fishing coat and cast himself into the sea; 
and went to Jesus. The rest of the disciples fol- 
low after dragging the net with fishes. As soon 
as they came to land they saw a fire of coals and 
fish and bread thereon. Now Jesus ordered 
them to bring of the fish they had caught. Simon 
instantly obeyed and drew up the fishes, one hun- 
dred and fifty-three. Now they are invited to eat ; 
and Jesus giveth them bread and fish and they 
break the fast. After they had eaten Jesus ad- 
dressed Peter, saying Lovest thou me more than 
these. These what ?bread and fish of course. Says 
a critic the theological world has never settled that 
question yet and these may refer to the rest 
of the disciples ; and Jesus may have meant, dost 
thou love me better than you do the other dis- 
ciples or do you love me better than they do? 
This latter question Peter was not competent to 
answer; because he knew not the extent of the 
love of the other disciples ; and had no means of 
knowing, and the former partakes too much of 
the whimsical and is beneath the dignity of our 
Lord. Hence we conclude that Jesus instituted 
the comparison between Peter's love for Christ; 
and bread and fish. 

No doubt the comparison was made between 
temporal and spiritual ground. Such compari- 
sons are common in the Scripture. David in 
speaking of the law and judgments of God says: 
" More to be desired are they than gold. Sweeter 
also than honey and the honey comb." Job in 
speaking of wisdomfi says : " It cannot be valued 
with gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, 



Fools for Christ. 137 

or the sapphire." The gold and crystal cannot 
equal it, and the exchange of it shall not be for 
jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made 
of coral, or of pearls ; for the price of wisdom is 
above rules. And is it not probable that Christ 
thought of Essau who sold his birthright for a 
mess of pottage ; and of Judas who had forfeited 
his interest in Christ for thirty pieces of silver. 
The consideration is important and the question 
opportune. For which have you the greatest 
love, carnal or spiritual things. For which do 
you hunger and thirst most, the temporal or the 
spiritual, for the earthly or the heavenly, for 
bread and fish, or righteousness and peace, and 
joy in the Holy Ghost. " Lovest thou me more 
than these ? " Peter felt the force of the question 
and he answered it cautiously and wisely. No 
doubt Peter was naturally very fond of fish ; 
otherwise he would not have toiled all night for 
them. In addition he probably had fasted all 
night, maybe longer and was suffering with in- 
tense hunger. Now what is more delicious and 
savory to such a man under such conditions than 
a nice loaf and broiled fish. Peter felt the force 
of the comparison and he evaded it in his answer. 
Yea Lord thou knowest that I love "thee. The 
question was put once, twice, thrice, and was as 
many times answered, but not with reference to 
the comparison. " Notice Yea Lord thou know- 
est I love thee. Second answer same as the first, 
now note the third, " Lord, thou knowest all 
things; thou knowest that I love thee. Peter, 
your course just here was commendable. You 
knew that your appetite for temporal food when 



138 Fools for Christ, 

intensified by abstemiousness was very great, and 
you realized that this was ac lose question and you 
did not want to dissemble and make pretence of 
more devotion and love than you had, moreover, 
you were apprised that your Lord knew your 
heart ; knew all things and you had been caught 
once by your rashness and you did not desire the 
repetition of it. We admire your honesty and 
candor Peter, and no doubt the master did; for 
he responded three times to your answer thereby 
committing a trust to you saying feed my lambs, 
feed my sheep, feed my sheep. 

The mule is in a measure prepared to sympa- 
thize with Peter in this matter for he loves fish 
too. And when quite young he learned to catch 
fish, dress, cook and eat them. During his life 
he has spent many happy hours catching fish and 
expects to spend more of them in the same way. 
because he loves fish, and he like Peter has fished 
for them all night and caught at least as good 
as nothing. In addition to this nine years ago 
next fall when so much was said in the papers 
about the German carp being so easily raised in 
ponds, the mule went to work amidst the taunts 
and smiles of derision from his neighbors and 
friends with pick and spade, plow, scraper, and 
horse and by these means he made a crevice in 
the earth one hundred and fifty feet long by thirtv 
wide, where the ground was dry and hard, hav- 
ing been hauled over and tramped by horses, 
cows, hogs, men, women, boys and girls for about 
forty years,and in this crevice he turned a part of 
the spring branch and raised some fine fish. Two 
years ago we rented out our place and left home, 



Fools for Christ. 139 

and the careless tenant let it dry up so we lost our 
carp, but the scraper is now at the pand and we 
are going to clean it out in a few days and restock 
it and raise more fish, and if we succeed in raising 
this respect we love fish. And not only so 
we shall eat them ; for like Peter we love fish 
and we love Christ too ; but we are not going to 
say which we love the best, for we do not want 
to stretch beyond our measure. Yea, Lord, thou 
knowest all things; thou knowest I love thee. 
Whom having not seen we love, in whom though 
now we see him not yet believing, we rejoice 
with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Now 
we are of the opinion that no man ought to en- 
gage in the work o fthe ministry without he loves 
Christ, equally as much if not a little more than 
he when very hungry almost starved loves bread 
and fish. Lovest thou me more than these. 

Christ was not only satisfied with Peter's con- 
fession ; but he was pleased with it, hence he 
made a bishop of him. How do we know Peter 
was a bishop ; because he was assigned the work 
of a bishop. Feed my lambs, feed my sheep, 
which is the first duty of a bishop, and the next 
duty of a bishop is to keep the wolves from 
among the sheep, lest they devour them. But a 
bishop is an overseer, a kind of boss in the 
church, having delegated power and superior au- 
thority. Well, a bishop from barbarian Greece 
and Rome, is just such a character; but one 
from Christian and prophetic Judah and Israel 
is not. The bishop from Judah and Israel is 
likened to the man who watches over sheep; 
the one from Greece and Rome to the man who 



14° Fools for Christ. 

watches over slaves. This pompous fellow from 
Greece and Rome goes around with club and 
lash, gives orders, enforces edicts, cuts and 
slashes as an imperalist ; but the one from Judah 
walks upon a mound or climbs upon a stump or 
log, looks over the flock to see that they go not 
astray, to keep the wolves off, and feed them 
with the bread and water of life. This is the 
kind of bishop Peter was ; and we have his own 
testimony in these words. The elders, the He- 
brew word for bishop, which are among you I 
exhort who also am an elder, and a witness 
of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of 
the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of 
God which is among you, taking the over sight 
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for 
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as 
beings, lords over God's heritage, but being ex- 
amples to the flock. And when the chief shep- 
herd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of 
glory that fadeth not away. Saint Paul was also 
a bishop after the order of Peter and delivered a 
similar address to the elders or younger bishops 
of the church of Ephesus. Take heed therefore 
unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the 
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers 
or bishops, to feed the church of God, which he 
hath purchased with his own blood. And the 
reason he gives them this special charge is that 
they may not be taken unawares by false teachers 
who would decoy the flock and lead some astray. 
For says he after my departing shall grievous 
wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock. 
It is not the business of a bishop to rule with 



Pools for Christ; 141 

force and cruelty and lord it over God's heri- 
age but to guard the flock, lead them into the rich 
spiritual pasture of revelation and feed them with 
such food as is convenient for them that they 
may fatten and grow thereby. Oh, that we had a 
hundred where we only have one such bishops. 
Bishops made such by the Holy Ghost and sent 
by Christ as were Peter and Paul. Bishops who 
loved Christ better than they do silver and gold 
and precious stones, better than they do houses 
and lands and flocks of goats, cattle and swine, yea 
who love Christ and his body the church better 
than they do loaves and fishes on fast days after 
they become exceedingly hungry, bishops who are 
fed by Christ not only, with temporal food, but 
with the manna of heaven ; and are nourished 
and strengthened by the Holy Ghost; who had 
rather feed Christ's poor sheep and guard it, than 
be promoted as Kings to sway sceptres and ex- 
ercise the right and power of dominion over the 
various empires and kingdoms of the world. 
Who can sing with the immortal Wesley : 

Hast thou a lamb 

In all thy flock, 

I would distain to feed, 

Hast thou a foe before, 

Whose face I fear thy cause to plead. 

Tho' knowing I love thee 

Dearly Lord how once I love to serve him. 

Such reveries are not uncommon among people 
whose minds are exercised on questions of relig- 
ion. In olden times the prophets had dreams, 
visions and revelations. John had them on the 
Isle of Patmus. Elijah had them while in the 



I42 Fools for Christ. 

cave a Horeb, the Mount of God. The Lord 
commanded Elijah to go and stand before him 
upon the mount, and behold the Lord passed 
by, and a great strong wind rent the mountains 
and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord, 
but the Lord was in the wind, and after the 
wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in 
the earthquake. And after the earthquake a 
fire; but the Lord was not in the fire, and after 
the fire a still small voice. And it was so when 
Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in his mantle 
and went out and stood in the entering in 
of the cave. And behold, there came a voice 
unto him and said, " What doest thou here, 
Elijah. And he said I have been very jealous, 
for the Lord God of Hosts ; because the children 
of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown 
down thine altars, and slain thine prophets with 
the sword, and I even I only am left; and they 
seek my life to take it. 

This is what may be called a fable, and this 
kind of composition was common in olden times. 
We give an example from the ninth chapter of 
Judges. The trees went forth on a time to an- 
noint a king over them; and they said unto the 
olive tree, reign thou over us. But the olive 
tree said unto them, should I leave my fatness, 
wherewith by me they honor God and man and 
go to be promoted over the trees. And the trees 
said to the fig tree, come thou and reign over us. 
But the fig tree said unto them, should I forsake 
my sweetness, and my good gruits, and go to be 
promoted over the trees? Then said the trees 
unto the vine, come thou and reign over us, 



Fools for Christ. 143 

And the vine said unto them, should I leave my 
wine -which cheereth God and Man, and go to be 
promoted over the trees. Then said all the trees 
unto the bramble, come thou and reign over us. 
And the bramble said unto the trees. If in truth 
ye annoint me king over you, then come and 
put your trust in my shadow, and if it not let fire 
come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of 
Lebanon. By this parable Jotham rebuked the 
Shechemitts for making Abimehs king over 
them which oversight terminated in their ruin, 
for he was indeed a destructive bramble to them 
for the fire came out and consumed them. He 
murdered all his brethren, seventy in number ex- 
cept Jotham, who saved his life by consealing 
himself; and in a few years this dreadful man 
was mortally wounded while storming a city by 
a woman who struck him on the head with a piece 
of mill stone, and so much did he abhor the idea 
of being killed by a woman that he ordered his 
armor bearer to slay him. Thus did the judg- 
ment of God avenge the murder of the brethren 
whose blood cried out against this wicked man. 

On the night designated by King Goat's cap- 
tain the mule went to Bethel in obedience to the 
summons and found the court in session. Judges 
Ox, Elephant and Camel had taken their seats, 
and a new king, King Ram was on the throne. 
On making inquiry why this occurred, the mule 
was informed that the judges had discovered 
that in selecting King Goat to rule over the 
court they had made a mistake similar to that 
of the Shechemites, and to prevent any disaster 
and get a more suitable king to preside over this 



144 Fools for Christ. 

court which is of the highest moral and Christian 
type, they deposed King Goat and selected this 
large, fine, white ram which you now behold on 
the throne, who represents Melchizedek King of 
Righteousness, King of Salem, which is King of 
Peace. And the reason this change vvas made is 
because this Melchizedek was the most distin- 
guished type of Christ, who was as a lamb slain 
from the foundation of the world; and because 
when the Son of man shall come in his glory, 
and all the holy angels with him, then shall he 
sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him 
shall be gathered all nations : and he shall sepa- 
rate them one from another, as a shepherd 
divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall 
set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on 
the left. Then shall the King say unto them on 
his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, 
inrehit the kingdom prepared for you from be- 
fore the foundation of the world. But to them 
on his left hand he will say, Depart from me, ye 
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil 
and his angels. So you discover that the judges 
had the best of reasons for disposing King 
Goat and for selecting the ram as his successor ; 
and this circumstance reminds us of the fact 
that in the Scripture inferior creatures are in some 
respects wiser than many people. The ox know- 
eth his owner and the ass his master's crib, but 
Israel doth not know ; my people do not consider. 
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth his ap- 
pointed times, and the turtle and the crane and 
the swallow observe the time of their coming, 
but my people know not the judgment of the 



Fools for Christ. 145 

Lord. How do ye say, We are wise, and the 
law of the Lord is with us. For certainly in 
vain made he it ; the pen of the scribe is in vain. 
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed 
and taken; lo, they have uprooted the word of 
the Lord, and what wisdom is in them ? Yea, by 
the foolishness of preaching God hath destroyed 
the wisdom of the wise and brought to nothing 
the understanding of the prudent. These ani- 
mals by deposing King Goat and by promoting 
the ram to the kingship carried out a consistent 
expediency that far surpasses the wisdom of 
many of the nations of Europe, who are op- 
pressed and tortured by brambles called kings 
and queens whom they will not depose; and 
wiser than many churches in America who suf- 
fer themselves to be scratched and burnt by un- 
scrupulous characters called ministers of the gos- 
pel. How long, O Lord, how long before the 
oppressors of the people shall be cut off! 

On entering this ecclesiastic court of animals, 
the mule was reminded of Ezekiel's vision, in 
which he saw some living creatures which had 
the likeness of beasts, occupying exalted positions 
in the government of God, and performing ex- 
traordinary work in the order of Divine Provid- 
ence. We here quote a part of this vision com- 
mencing with the 15th verse, the preceding part 
being quoted in another work entitled — The 
Ass's Victory : " Now as I beheld the living 
creatures, behold cne wheel upon the earth by the 
living creatures with his four faces — Give several 
verses. 



146 Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Soon after the mule arrived in the church 
when the court had convened, King Ram arose 
and said, " Dear subjects and worthy co-laborer s' 
you are aware of the fact that my predecessor, 
King Goat, has been impeached for reasons al- 
ready assigned by our secretary and that I am 
his lawful successor to the trone — and it becomes 
my special duty to preside over this ecclesiastical 
court now in session. The quotation Mr. Mule 
made from the prophecy of Ezekiel was oppor- 
tune ; for this is an assemblage of beasts in coun- 
cil carrying out the purposes of God ; and on all 
sides beneath and above us are the wheels in 
motion whether we perceive them or not. But 
we do not like the motive that prompted the 
mule to introduce this passage and several others 
he quoted. It seems that he is disposed to apolo- 
gize for a fable as if it needed an apology. 
Furthermore he must now and then say some- 
thing apologetic for beasts occupying positions of 
distinction and honor. Why, he must have for- 
gotten that even inanimate nature is represented 
as rejoicing over the glorious results of Messiah's 
kingdom, when it prospers from the preaching 
of the word by the ambassadors of Christ. The 
wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad 
for them; and the desert shall rejoice and bless 



Fools for Christ 147 

lis as the rose, blossom as the rose. It shall blos- 
som abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and 
singing : the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto 
it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall 
see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of 
our God. For ye shall go out with joy, and be 
led forth with peace ; the mountains and the hills 
shall break forth before you into singing ; and all 
the trees of the field shall clap their hands. And 
have you not read in the Scriptures; the beasts 
of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the 
owls; because I give waters in the wilderness, 
and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my peo- 
ple, my chosen. The four great beasts spoken of 
in Dannel's vision were four kings of the earth. 
The beasts are associated with Jesus the Lamb of 
God and with the cherubims and angels. Never 
the-less it seems that Mr. Mnule is somewhat 
ashamed of an association ; and thinks himself a 
little out of place while in our company. If this 
be the cause of all these apologies we might have 
him understand that the court has a greater 
cause to be ashamed of his presence and associ- 
ation. For we are pure blooded animals and are 
not at all pretentious; but he is a detestible hy- 
brid ; and is not worthy of the association of any 
other animals except swine; for they are con- 
temptible in the church and so is a mule. And if 
there is anything for which a ram cherishes a 
hatred equal to his hatred to a dog or wolf it is a 
mules', because he is a lawless animal — his mas- 
ter cannot control him — he breaks out of the 
stable and lot, at night he gallops around over 
the country — disturbs the people — annoys the 



148 Fools for Christ. 

dogs — destroys growing crops — kills young calves 
and lambs without remorse, and seems to take 
pleasure in his own shameful conduct. And not- 
withstanding I now occupy the position of king, 
yet such is our aversion to the mule tribe on ac- 
count of his impure blood and treacherous dispo- 
sition, that I can hardly treat him with ordinary 
courtesy even in this august assembly, and if 
you are not aware of it, we will tell you that the 
man whom this mule represents is not much bet- 
ter in blood and disposition than his representa- 
tive, for he is connected with the Dutch, English 
and Irish ; yes, he is himself a mongrel, and per- 
haps this will give us a key to his nonsense and 
eccentricity of which he has been accused all his 
life, for he is as different from other people, as 
the mule is from a horse or an ass, and for fun, 
antics and self-will a mule cannot excel him. 
And now, Mr.. Mule, we give you due notice of 
the fact that when we get through with this 
speech we expect you to give a strict account of 
same matters and explain yourself ; for you know 
very well that for several years you have been 
watched with more or less suspicion, and we 
want to know the reasons, if you have any, why 
you acted so and so, and preached thus and thus, 
and you must not equivocate or diverge from the 
truth a hair's breadth ; for if you do, we shall 
summon witnesses and sustain certain charges 
against you, and it is not likely that you will 
come off as well as you did in the trial through 
which you passed before this, something more 
than six years ago, when King Goat occupied 
this throne. 



Fools for Christ. 149 

Now we wish to speak with reference to that 
extraordinary vision of the prophet Ezekiel ; the 
design of which was to impress him with Divine 
glory preparatory to his being sent as a mes- 
senger of God to his people. 

In this vision is an exhibition of wheels. A 
wheel in form is a circle; having a hub in the 
center through which passes an axle, around 
which it revolves. It is denominated a mechan- 
ical power, and is one form of the lever to move 
weights and burdens. By this means weights 
are not only moved with more ease; but with 
much greater speed. Wheels are time savers, 
and they are savers of power too. If you inquire 
about the inventor of circles and wheels, we di- 
rect you to God as their prime author. 

This is a universe of circles and wheels. Sa- 
turn has rings or circles, the sun his circuit, the 
moon and stars revolve in circles. In the earth 
there are millions of wheels of various dimen- 
sions. Some are quite small while others are 
very large. Some were made by men, others are 
God made; air, water and the seasons, move 
around in order like wheels. And we have also 
figurative wheels, political wheels, and ecclesias- 
tical wheels. Great councils in church and state 
perform their functions after the fashion of 
wheels. 

Literally we have wheels for almost every 
thing. Wheels for the farm, wheels for con- 
venience and pleasure, wheels for commerce and 
wheels for war, wheels for the church and Gospel 
wheels, wheels in the printing press, wheels for 
conveying intelligence, wheels for sewing, spin- 



[150 Fools for Christ. 

ning and weaving. This is a wheel world, and 
it rolls like a wheel, yea has the motion of a com- 
pound wheel, and it is a world of wheels. 
Wherever you go you see wheels; and you fre- 
quently go on wheels. This age is distinguished 
for its varied and multitudinous wheels. It 
might with propriety be called the wheel age; 
and they are frequently complicated — wheels 
within wheels — and they are connected one with 
another, and have a mutual relation and depend- 
ence one on the other as is taught in the vision. 

Now we notice that beasts were connected 
with those wheels. A wheel has no power of 
its own — is not a self-operating machine. The 
wheels in the heavens are propelled by a power 
independent of themselves; and the wheels in 
the earth are useless without something to move 
them. Note the adaptation of beasts to the func- 
tion of moving wheels. The ox, ass, camel, 
elephant, goat, sheep, and even a mule is by 
form, constitution and power adapted to this 
purpose ; and in all ages and among all nations 
where the people were familiar with wheels, 
they have been employed for this purpose. 
Beasts are familiar with wheels, we the mem- 
bers of this court in a representative capacity 
have been used to them from remote antiquity ; 
and this system of wheels could not have been 
operated without beasts or living creatures. 

This leads us to speak of the great importance 
of beasts in the government of God. They not 
only move the wheels ; but it is a fact that many 
of the designs of providence could not be car- 
ried out without them. In olden times sacri- 



Fools for Christ. 151 

fices and oblations could not have been made 
without beasts and birds. The cart of the church 
could not have been properly moved without 
beasts. The ark of the covenant which contained 
the precious book of the law and other important 
relics was hauled by oxen. So important are 
beasts that the appearance of them in lands 
hitherto desolate is an evidence of the pouring 
out of the Spirit of God, which you will learn 
by reference to the seventy-second chapter of 
Isaiah where it is written : Blessed are ye that 
sow beside all waters, that send forth thither 
the feet of the ox and the ass. This is true as 
it doth appear in this world. Now transfer this 
system of wheels to the spirit world and sub- 
stitute for the beast the cherubim, operating 
among wheels carrying out the purposes of God, 
and no doubt you will have at least an intelligible 
idea of this vision. Where the cherubim went 
the wheels went by them. 

You discover a great deal of light and bright-" 
ness in this vision. This symbolizes the wisdom' 
employed in operating this machine, so as to 
accomplish the purpose for which it was insti-' 
tuted. 

Now the wisdom, power and goodness of God; 
are manifested in all this contrivance, adapta- 
tion, adjustment, of this wonderful machinery 
and by this vision the phophet was impressed 
with Divine glory and was in a measure qualified 
for the function of a minister of God ; he was 
overpowered by the splendor of this vision and 
fell upon his face and heard the voice of one 
that spake unto him, saying. Son of man, stand 



152 Fools for Christ. 

upon thy feet and I will speak unto thee. And 
the spirit entered into him and set him upon his 
fee, and spake unto him saying, I send thee to the 
children of Israel, to a rebellous nation, and thou 
shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. 

To impress you with the importance of a 
true evangelical ministry, we call attention to the 
excellence and mission of the Church of God. 
The question may be asked, What is the Church 
of God and of what is it composed? Why, it is 
the assembly of those who believe in and worship 
the true God, whether they be many or few ; 
and who further accept the teaching of his 
word, live acordingly, and experience the grace 
and salvation of the Christ in their hearts, 
and expect through him complete deliverance 
from all sin and its evil consequences and a 
final reception in the heavenly world. If you 
inquire where the Church of God on earth was 
instituted ? We answer, in Paradise. Adam and 
Eve were created in the image of God and com- 
posed his little family on the earth. Abel was a 
true worshiper ; and offered an acceptable sacri- 
fice, namely: the firstlings of his flock, and the 
|fat thereof; and the Lord had respect unto Abel 
and his offering, but he had no respect for Cain 
and his offering, because it consisted of the 
fruit of the ground and did not possess the ele- 
ments of a true sacrifice. Hence Paul says : By 
faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent 
sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness 
that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: 
and by it he being dead, yet speaketh. Enoch 
walked with God: and was not; for God took 



Fools for Christ. 153 

him ; and the apostle says that it was by faith that 
he was translated, that he should not see death ; 
and was not found because God had translated 
him; for before his translation he had this testi- 
mony, that he pleased God. In the days of the 
flood, Noah and his wife, his three sons and their 
wives constituted the family or Church of God. 
Following these in the order of time, we have an 
account of Melchizedek, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac 
and Rebecca, Jacob and Joseph and others who 
were the worshipers of the true God, and con- 
stituted the Church. 

After this the people of God were providentially 
conducted into Egypt and were in bondage to 
the Pharaohs for four hundred years ; but they re- 
tained a knowledge of the true God and wor- 
shiped him. By faith Moses, when he was born, 
was hid three months of his parents, because they 
saw he was a proper child ; and they were not 
afraid of the king's commandment.. Quote down 
to the twenty-ninth verse inclusive. 

This is that Moses which said unto the children 
of Israel, Acts 7-37, 38. 

For a long time the people of God, the chosen 
seed, had no permanent abiding place — they dwelt 
in tents and worshiped in tabernacles that were 
movable; but after they were permanently es- 
tablished in the Land of Canaan, which was the 
Land of Promise — they were ordered to build a 
house unto the Lord in which he would establish 
his name forever. This house or temple was 
built by King Solomon in Jerusalem, on Mount 
Moriah. The highest mount in Jerusalem is 
Zion, on which David deposited the Ark of the 



154 Fools for Christ. 

Covenant ; and from this circumstances it is called 
the Holy Hill. 

This City Jerusalem was the great metropolis 
of the Jewish nation and the Temple was the chief 
place of religious ordinances — for the whole Jew- 
ish nation. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes 
of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give 
thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are 
set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house 
of David. 

In the days of the prophets, Zion and Jerusa- 
lem were applied to the Church of God ; and such 
is the blessed influences of true religion that even 
the place where the great congregation assem- 
bled to worship is supposed to partake of its ex- 
cellence and strength and is the special dwelling- 
place of the Most High. Hence the seraphic ex- 
pression of the Psalmist: Great is the Lord, and 
greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in 
the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situ- 
ation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, 
on the sides of the north, the city of the great 
King. Again, the hill of God is as the hill of 
Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 
Why leap ye, ye high hills ? this is the hill which 
God desireth to dwell in ; yea, the Lord will dwell 
in it forever. The chariots of God are twenty 
thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is 
among them, as in Sinai ; in the holy place 
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The 
Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the 
dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken 
of thee, O City of God. Selah. 

Ancient Jerusalem or the Church was highly 



Fools for Christ. 155 

exalted — it was established upon a mountain; 
but the Church of the latter age or New Jerusa- 
lem is more highly exalted, for it is established 
upon the Mound of God which has for its base 
the Mount of Ancient Jerusalem. Thus saith 
the Lord : It shall come to pass in the last days, 
that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be 
established in the top of the mountains, and shall 
be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall 
flow unto it. And many people shall go and 
say : Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain 
of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, 
and he will teach us of his ways, and we will 
walk in his paths ; for out of Zion shall go forth 
the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusa- 
lem. 

The New Jerusalem or Church is in an eminent 
sense above — the mother of us all — and it is from 
neaven — and reaches to heaven, and when you 
ascend to the top of its great mountain you will 
have gained the highest heaven or the heaven of 
heavens. Saint John while banished to the Isle 
of Patmos had a vision if its descent. Says he : I 
saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down 
from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 
adorned for her husband. And I heard a great 
voice out of heaven saying, Behold the Taber- 
nacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with 
with them, and they shall be his people, and God 
himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
And God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes. — And he tells us by what means he was 
enabled to behold this grand sight. An angel 
talked with him saying, Come hither, I will show 



156 Fools for Christ. 

thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried 
me away in the spirit to a great and high moun- 
tain ,and shewed me the Great City — the Holy 
Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God — ■ 
having the glory of God, and her light was like 
unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper 
stone, clear as crystal. 

The former church was glorious but the latter 
exceeds it in glory. In the former Moses was 
the prominent character — he superintended the 
ministrations thereof, as a servant; but in the 
latter Jesus Christ is the most distinguished char- 
acter and he is the rightful owner of the house. 
;And he is counted worthy of more glory than 
Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the 
house hath more honor than the house. The 
prophets anticipated the greater excellence of 
this latter house ; which is eminently spiritual. 
According to the covenant he made with the chil- 
dren of Israel when he brought them out of the 
land of Egypt he was to dwell with them and 
his spirit was to remain with his people — and 
this fact was used as a stimulent to encourage 
Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest and the 
people of the land in rebuilding the Temple of old 
which was a type of this latter house — and its 
excellence foreshadowed the greater excellence 
of the latter. For thus saith the Lord of hosts 
by thep rophet Haggai ; Yet once it is a little 
while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, 
and the sea, and the dry land. And I will shake 
all nations and the Desire cf all nations (which 
is Christ), shall come; and I will fill this house 
with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver 



Fools for Christ, 157 

is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of 
hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be 
greater than of the former, saith the Lord of 
hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith 
the Lord of hosts. Now this prophecy was mi- 
nutely fulfilled by the coming, conduct, and work 
of Jesus. He honored this house with his pres- 
ence at the age of twelve years according to the 
flesh, when his parents found him in the Temple 
with the doctors both hearing and answering 
questions — with so much wisdom and under- 
standing that they were astonished. Afterward 
he honored it with his presence as teacher and 
then by driving out those unworthy characters 
that desecrated the Temple by making it a place 
of merchandise. And finally he by his suffering 
and death rent the vail of the Temple from top 
to bottom — which separated the Jew from the 
Gentile, and was the cause of national strife and 
disaffection, and proclaimed the equal rights and 
privileges in the Church of God. — He is our peace 
who hath made both one, and who hath broken 
down the middle wall of partition — Quote to the 
twenty-second verse inclusive of the second chap, 
of Eph. 

In coming into the church in the latter dis- 
pensation — We come not to the mount that 
burned with fire and was covered with black- 
ness and darkness and tempest ; and the sound of 
the trumpet and the voice of words which they 
that hear entreated that it should not be spoken 
any more — for they could not endure that which 
was commanded, and so terrible was the sight 
that Moses exceedingly feared and quaked. But 



158 Fools for Christ. 

we are come unto Mount Zion and unto the city 
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and 
unto an innumerable company of angels — Quote 
to the twenty-fourth verse inclusive of the twelfth 
chap. Heb. 

The glory of this latter Temple or church con- 
sists in it spirituality. While the former was a 
ministration of law — this is eminently the minis- 
tration of the Spirit ; and Saint Paul calls atten- 
tion to its superior excellence in these words. If 
the ministration of death — Two Cor. is chap, 
seven to ten verses inclusive. 

It may be inquired in what does the excellence 
of the Church consist ? In its spiritual knowledge 
and understanding. In it is the book of the law 
the covenants prophecies, promises, and testa- 
ments — the greatest and grandest of all books — 
It is replete with wisdom from above — and is a 
great light in the church. In many Scriptural 
lesons concerning the church do you not observe 
many symbols of luster and brightness which 
almost dazzle you with their splendor, these sym- 
bolize the wisdom of God as exhibited in the 
church. Candlesticks, lamplights and suns are 
used to express the light of the knowledge of the 
glory of God as exhibited by Christ in the church. 
The church is heaven's repository of true wis- 
dom — and by man it cannot be obtained from any 
other source. 

The mission of the church is to make men 
truly wise and great and thereby procure their 
salvation; and no man can attain unto this ex- 
cellence only through the church. Nothing else 
can make men great and noble. Knowledge of 



Fools for Christ. 159 

science and philosophy cannot do it — statesman- 
ship and politics cannot do it. These things apar/ 
from the science and philosophy of true religion 
which is of the church are too shallow and nar- 
row and low to expand and exalt man to such 
dignity and excellence. Why, you inquire, was 
not Socrates, Alexander, Csesar and Bonaparte 
great — no, not in the sense of scriptural greatness. 
— They were not great like Abraham, David, 
Isaiah, Paul and thousands of the sons of Zion. 
It is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the 
wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding 
of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is 
the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? 
has not God made foolish the wisdom of this 
world by the revelation of himself to men ? Most 
assuredly he has — and the prudent sons of Zion 
avail themselves of this means of knowledge and 
wisdom and become truly great and are dis- 
tinguished in the church below and in that above. 
Hence we read in the eighty-seventh Psalm : I 
will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to 
them that know me ; behold Philistia and Tyre, 
with Ethiopia ; this man was born there. Amd of 
Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born 
in her; and the Highest himself shall establish 
her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up 
the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 
Out of the church you may find men of good 
natural ability and understanding — they may be 
men of profound knowledge of mathematics, phil- 
osophy, civil law and history, but they lack that 
spiritual accumen, insight and understanding, ex- 
pansion and elevation which is experienced only 



160 Fools for Christ. 

by the sons and daughters of Zion to make them 
truly great and good. The natural man receiveth 
not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are 
foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them, 
because they are spiritually discerned: But he 
that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself 
is judged of no man. Those who are born of 
Zion have the eyes of their understanding opened 
and their spiritual discernment quickened, and are 
brought in direct contact with the light of spirit- 
ual understanding and they know and speak the 
wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wis- 
dom which God ordained before the world unto 
our glory, which the wise of the earth, even the 
princes of the world, knew not — as it is written. 
Eye hath not^een, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into the heart of man the things which 
God hath prepared for them that love him — but 
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit ; for 
the Spirit searcheth all things ; yea, the deep 
things of God. And those who dwell in Zion and 
walk about the new Jerusalem have an under- 
standing and knowledge of God and the things of 
God which is not experienced by the wise men of 
the world who are not odentified with the church, 
and in proportion to their spiritual wisdom and 
understanding so is their excellence and su- 
periority to those who have not the mind of 
Christ, and are therefore destitute of this knowl- 
edge which is from above and cometh from God 
who bestoweth it liberally upon all who asketh it 
of him and upbraideth not. Hence we claim that 
none are truly wise and great except the children 



Foots for Christ. 161 

of light who are begotten of God and born of 
Zion. 

The excellence of the church is further de- 
veloped in its transforming power Those who are 
of Zion are transformed by the renewing of the 
mind — and the spirit of the mind — because 
they have put off the old man which is corrupt 
according to the deceitful lust ; and put on the 
new man which after God is created in righteous- 
ness and true holiness ; and they thereby prove 
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will 
of God. The children in Zion are favored with 
the unveiled mirror of the glory of the Lord; 
and with open face they behold this glory; and 
are changed into the same image form glory to 
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord; thus 
are we renewed in knowledge after the image of 
Him who creates all things new ; and we know 
not when this transforming power will end. 
Hence John saith, Beloved, it doth not yet appear 
what we shall be ; but we do know that when he 
shall appear we shall ge like him ; for we shall see 
him as he is. O glorious church, high and holy 
in its mission ! 

The excellence of the church demands a true, 
consecrated, wise ministry ; and she cannot main- 
tain her integrity and accomplish her glorious mis- 
sion without such a ministry. Hence in all ages 
she has been admonished to beware of the en- 
croachment and imposition of a false ministry. 
The importance of this admonition will be appre- 
ciated when we consider that ministers officiate 
about the sacred altar, and are the leaders and 
teachers of the people ; ana it is not likely that the 



1 62 Fools for Christ. 

piety, devotion and knowledge of the people will 
exceed that of their leaders and instructors ; 
therefore it behooves the church to guard against 
an impure and ignorant ministry. In the days of 
old it seems that false prophets were a great curse 
to the church and caused Zion more trouble and 
anguish than all other adversaries. The priests 
said not. Where is the Lord? anal they that 
handle the law knew me not; the pastors also 
transgressed against me, and the prophets prophe- 
sied by Baal, and walked after things that do not 
profit. The priests and the prophets have erred 
through strong drink, they are swallowed up of 
wine, they are out of the way through strong 
drink; they err in vision and stumble in judg- 
ment. His watchmen are blind ; they are all 
ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot 
bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have 
enough, and they are shepherds that cannot un- 
derstand ; they all look to their own way, every 
one for his gain from his quarter. Come ye, 
say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill our- 
selves with strong drink ; and to-morrow shall be 
as this day, and much more abundant. 

Saith Jeremiah : Mine heart within me is 
broken because of the prophets — all my bones 
shake: I am like a drunken man, and like a man 
whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord 
and because of the words of his holiness. For 
the land is full of adulterers ; for because of 
swearings the land mourneth, thep leasant places 
of the wilderness are dried up, and their course 
is evil and their force is not right, for both 



Fools for Christ. 163 

prophet and priest are profane ; yea in my house 
have I found there wickedness, saith the Lord. 
Thus saith the Lord ; The prophets prophesy lies 
in my name. I sent them not ; neither have I 
commanded them ; neither spake unto them ; they 
prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, 
and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their 
heart. 

I have heard what the prophets said that proph- 
esied lies in my name, saying I have dreamed, I 
have dreamed. How long shall this be in the 
heart of the prophets that prophecy lies ? yea they 
are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; 
which think to cause my people to forget my 
name by their dreams which they tell every man 
to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten 
my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a 
dream, let him tell a dream ; and he that hath my 
word let him speak my word faithfully ; what is 
the chafT to the wheat, saith the Lord. 

Behold I am against them that prophesy false 
dreams, saith the Lord and do tell them, and cause 
my people to err by their lies, and by their light- 
ness, yet I sent them not, nor commanded them ; 
therefore they shall not profit this people at all, 
saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord by the 
prophet Ezekiel ; Woe be to the shepherds of 
Israel that do feed themselves ; should not the 
shepherds feed the flocks ? Ye eat the fat and ye 
clothe you with the wool, yet kill them that are 
fed ; but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have 
ye not strengthened, neither have ye bound up 
that which was broken, neither have ye brought 
again that which was driven away, neither have 



164 Fools for Christ. 

ye sought that which was lost; but with force, 
and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they 
were scattered because there is no shepherd ; and 
thev became meat to all the beasts of the field, 
when they were scattered. 

These false prophets, saith the Lord by his serv- 
ant Micah: Eat the flesh of my people, and flay 
their skin from off them; and they break their 
bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and 
as flesh within the caldron. They build up Zion 
with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. The 
heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests 
thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof 
divine for money ; yet will they lean upon the 
Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us, none 
evil can come upon us. Therefore, saith the Lord, 
shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, 
and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the 
mountain of the house as the high places of the 
forest. Such was the character of many of the 
prophets who lived in ancient times — and these 
passages portray to us their false doctrine and 
pernisious influences and the evil results of their 
prophecy. Now when Jesus came into the world 
there were many false teachers and prophets who 
were in a sense connected with the church; and 
in his Sermon on the Mount which is the first he 
preached, he said, Beware of false prophets, 
which come to you in sheeps' clothing, but in- 
wardly they are ravenous wolves. Ye shall know 
them by their fruits. On another occasion, when 
there was gathered around him an innumerable 
multitude so that they trode one upon another, he 
began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware 



Fools for Christ. 165 

ye of the leaven; that is of the doctrine of the 
Pharisees and of the Saducees; which is hypoc- 
ricy. 

Furthermore He notified them that in the fu- 
ture many false prophets should arise and deceive 
many, and in view of this fact he said unto them : 
Take heed that no man deceive you. And we are 
admonished by Peter, John and Paul to beware 
of false teachers and prophets; for many have 
gone out into the world. And the latter apostle 
exhorted Titus to hold fast the faithful word 
that he might be able by sound doctrine to con- 
vince gainsayers ; for, says he, There are many 
unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially 
they of the circumcision ; whose mouths must be 
stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching 
things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 
One of themselves ; even a prophet of their own, 
said the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, 
slow bellies. This witness is true ; wherefore 
rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in 
the faith ; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and 
commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 
And the apostle Jude testifies of these characters, 
saying that they speak evil of those things which 
they know not ; but what they know naturally as 
brute beasts, in those things they corrupt them- 
selves. Woe unto them for they have gone in the 
way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of 
Balaam for reward, and perished in the gain- 
saying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of 
charity, when they feast with you, feeding them- 
selves without fear; clouds they are without 
water, carried about of winds ; trees whose fruit 



1 66 'Fools for Christ. 

withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up 
by the root, raging waves of the sea, foaming out 
their own shame ; wandering stars to whom is 
reserved the blackness of darkness forever ; upon 
whom God will execute his judgment when he 
cometh with ten thousand of his saints. 

Now after being thus admonished in both the 
Old and New Testament to beware of false 
teachers and prophets. The church would be re- 
creant to the trust committed to it if it failed in 
this duty; and it is not only the duty of the 
church as a whole to guard against false teach- 
ers, but it is the duty of every individual member 
thereof whether he be a minister or not to guard 
this point in proportion to his opportunity and 
capacity. Now, distinguished judges, I your 
sovereign have called attention to these Biblical 
facts concerning the church and ministry that 
you might be fully impressed with your duty in 
the promises — and, Mr. Mule, you are now re- 
quired togive an explanation of certain questions 
which have caused some disturbance and dissatis- 
faction in the church ; and I now yield the 'floor 
and give you an opportunity to exonorate or 
condemn yourself ; by your own testimony ; and 
we grant you full liberty to proceed in your own 
way in this matter — with the understanding that 
you are to observe the rules of decorum ordinarily 
praceiced in such assemblies. 

The mule's speech in which he explained the 
matters alluded to by King Ram; and further 
discusses the church and the true character of 
the ministry. 



Fools for Christ. 167 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN. 

It is almost impossible for words to express 
our appreciation of thy clemency and grace ; for 
in granting- us this liberty thou remindest us 
of the kindness of King Agrippa to the distin- 
guished apostle Paul who was in bonds on ac- 
count of the testimony he bore to the truth as 
it is in Jesus. And though this king was a hea- 
then and a barbarian and thou a ram, yet we dis- 
cover in your permit more indulgence and grace 
than is shown to the humble ministers of Jesus 
Christ by some of the would-be bosses of the 
church and others who wear the honorary title 
of bishop ; who speak with much fluency in the 
church concerning the excellency of Zion; and 
expound with fervency and zeal the law of 
brotherly love; and yet they are as impatient as 
caged bears, and under the least discussion or 
provocation they knit their brows and little 
winged devils leap from their eyes, their fists are 
clinched and they mercilessly pound desk and the 
Holy Book, command, order, and threat as im- 
perialists ; forgetting the fact — if they ever knew 
it — that the minister is not to lord it over God's 
heritage, As Paul ssith ; Such are false apostles, 



1 68 Fools for Christ. 

deceitful workers, transforming themselves into 
the apostles of Christ. But true ministers and 
Christians should suffer fools, gladly seeing that 
they themselves are wise. Suffering was the heri- 
tage of Christ; and it is the legitimate heritage 
of the saints: For ye suffer if a man bring you 
into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take 
of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you 
on the face. Oh, what humiliation, what re- 
proach — yet we must bear it — Jesus bore it with- 
out murmuring — As a sheep before his shearers 
is dumb so he opened not his mouth when 
smitten and spit upon. Paul bore it. Hear his 
sad experience. He says, I was in labors more 
abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons 
more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five 
times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice 
was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, 
thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day 
I have been in the deep. In journeyings often, 
in perils of waters ; in perils of robbers, in perils 
by mine own countrymen, in perils by the hea- 
then, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilder- 
ness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false 
brthren. But did his courage fail before his 
powerful adversaries, and did his fortitude falter 
while he was under the rod? — no; but in his 
weakness he was made strong, and the moral hero 
by suffering and reproaches triumphed over the 
pangs of persecution and the inflictions thereof. 
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; 
we are perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, 
but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ; 
always bearing about in the body the dying of 



Fools for Christ. 169 

the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might 
be made manifest in our body. 

It may be claimed by some that the apostle 
Paul, Christ and the rest of his following were 
sustained by a spirit of stoicism which they 
cultivated ; and in which they gloried : But this 
wil lnot do ; for a stoic is equally indifferent 
to both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances, 
to praise and censure, to friends and enemies; 
and is unmoved b ythe blessings of the one or 
curses of the other; and is wholly indifferent 
with regard to the personal welfare of either. 
Such may not be the spirit evinced by the world's 
Redeemer and his heroic followers ; for they felt 
keenly the scourges of the lash and the re- 
proaches that fell upon them — were sorry for 
their enemies — deplored their blindness, and 
wickedness and cruelty, Father, forgive them, 
said Christ, they know not what they do. I could 
wish myself accursed for my brethren and my 
kinsmen according* to the flesh, said the apostle 
of the Gentiles ; and moreover they appreciated 
every indication of sympathy and mark of re- 
spect shown them ; and their hearts and mouth 
overflowed with blessings for friends and bene- 
factors which proved that theirs was not a spirit 
of stoicism.. They were simply uncompromis- 
ing unswerving, devoted to the truth, that truth 
which emancipated the world from error and 
sin, and brings the greatest possible good to fallen 
humanity; and with the light and knowledge 
they had, and conscience they possessed, they 
could not have consistently acted otherwise. And 
this fact will account for the peculiar con- 



lyo Fools for Christ. 

duct and seeming irregularity of many Chris- 
tians and Christian ministers who have lived 
since the days of the apostles ; for the same causes 
and principles which favor and oppose Christi- 
anity exists now that existed then. Now, hon- 
orable king and supreme judges, this will give 
you a bird's-eye glance at the Christian phil- 
osophy of the circumstances to which you al- 
luded in your speech concerning which you de- 
mand an explanation. For us to state that we 
by sad experience know the heart anguish and 
soul pangs of a myrtyr, is not in our humble 
judgment an exaggeration of the truth. We have 
tasted vinegar, and drank from the cup of goal, 
and know something of the sharpness of wounds 
inflicted in the house of friends. We know 
what it is to be mocked and buffeted and slan- 
dered, not only by the common people of the 
church, but also by those who have been honored 
with what is denominated office in the church 
and seem to think that they are privileged char- 
acters and a sort of an exception to the apos- 
tolic rule. Neither as lords over God's heri- 
tage. Having more than once been denyed 
the Christian privelege and liberty granted by 
Agrippa to Paul, which you, King Ram, extend 
to your humble servant the mule, you under- 
stand why it is that our hearts abound with 
gratitude and our lips overflow with sincere 
praise to you, O king, for the kindnes and liberty 
you grant to your poor, despised, unworthy sub- 
ject and servant on this occasion. But we wish 
you to understand that it is not in our heart to 
complain or murmur &t our lotj neither do w§ 



Pools for Christ. 171 

desire to cast undue reflection upon our perse- 
cutors ; for such is the philosophy of Christianity, 
that true Christians and especially uncomprom- 
ising ministers of the Gospel who, like Elijah, are 
jealous for the cause of God, are sure in the 
course of their life to have trials of this kind, and 
while it is not their business to court them, and 
draw them upon themselves, yet it is a boon that 
might be counted, for no man is fully qualified 
for the work of a minister until he by suffering 
for the cause of truth and righteousness enters 
into, and in a measure partakes of the suffering 
of our Lord, by which he and all his followers 
ness because o tribulation, but with our eyes 
fixed upon the crown of the victor we intend to 
hold up the banner of Jesus, hearkening unto 
the divine injunction to Danniel, ad through 
him to all true soldiers of our Lord: Go thou 
thy way till the end be ; for thou shalt rest, and 
stand in thy lot at the end of the days. 

In order that you may understand the mule 
fully it is necessary for you to know something 
about his ancestry and early training. Now it 
is not our purpose to boast of our blood ; for we 
read in the Scripture that God hath made of 
one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on 
all the face of the earth; but cotrariwise we 
would speak of this with reference to our spirit- 
ual lineage, which is of more importance: Ac- 
cordingly Saint John saith concerning those who 
received Christ when he came unto them which 
were born, not of blood nor of the will of the 

fleshes, nor of thf will of mm fewt gf Go4 ; If 



I 



172 Fools for Christ. 

is with special reference to this fact that we 
speak of our parentage and ancestry. 

If any should think this presumptuous, we 
would cite them two apostlic evamples; which 
were given under similar circumstances. In ref- 
erence to his boastful enemies and persecuters he 
says: Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they 
Israelites? So am I. Are they ministers of 
Christ ? I speak as a fool, I am more ; in labors 
more abundant; in stripes above measure. Fur- 
thermore we have the example of the same apostle 
to justify us in speaking with reference to our 
earh- training. In his epistle to the Philippians, 
he denounces those who trusted in the flesh and 
asserts that we are the circumcision, which 
worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ 
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. He 
then assumes that if others had just grounds of 
confidence in the flesh, he had more, for the fol- 
lowing reasons: that he was circumcised the 
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of 
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews ; as touch- 
ing the law a Pharisee. Again, when brought be- 
fore his adversaries he begged of them a patient 
and respectful hearing, and he said unto them : I 
am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, 
a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at 
the feet of Gamaliel, and taught acording to 
the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, 
and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this 
day; and I persecuted this way unto the death, 
binding and delivering into prisons both men and 
women. Why did Paul refer to these facts in 
this manner, because he was honest, and knew 



Fools for Christ. 173 

that his purposes and conduct would De better 
understood, by his narrating his descent, early 
training, and education, and the manner of his 
life; and these facts shed much light on the life 
and biography of any man; hence we speak of 
ours; not in the spirit of presumption and ego- 
tism, for we glory not in the fleshly descent ; but 
rather in the spirit, and it is this we would mag- 
nify. 

My mother was named Mary, whose natural 
father was named Hancock, and her mother's 
maiden name was Harrison. Both of these 
families, so far as we have been able to trace 
their history, were in general the spiritual seed 
of Abraham, for he is the father of all that be- 
lieve; and they walked in the steps of that faith 
of our father Abraham ; which was a demonstra- 
tion of the fact that they were born of the Spirit. 
Mary my mother was a sincere, humble woman, 
seemingly destitute of egotism or presumption, 
who loved the church of Christ and its saving 
knowledge and holy incense and sacrifices — 
prayers and songs; and was what we would de- 
nominate a modest Christian — for she considered 
herself almost unworthy of the name, and if 
she had been required to approach Jesus in visi- 
ble form, she like the Seraphim, would have cov- 
ered her fact and her feet, and cried, holy, holy is 
the Lord of hosts ,the whole earth is full of his 
glory. But nearly thirty years ago she left earth 
m triumph, and the last words she ever spoke to 
her son were these, " I am tired of this world, and 
want to go to my home above." 

My father was named Davison Phelps, whose 



174 Fools for Christ, 

father's Christian name was Joshua Daniel, who 
was an Irishman, whose spouse was of Dutch 
descent. Now Davison Phelps, my father, was 
converted in early manhood and soon entered 
upon the duties of the ministry, and for about 
fifty years he was a faithful watchman on the 
walls of Zion. A man of strong- faith and of in- 
flexible zeal for the cause of Christ; and of no 
ordinary preaching ability. Nearly sixteen years 
ago he left the world in triumph and entered 
upon the eternal inheritance, and oh! how his 
son has missed his company and especially his 
ministry; for while he has heard some good 
preaching, yet he has heard nothing like that 
of father's, in point edge, earnestness and pathos, 
as he preached about Pentcost and the Holy 
Ghost sent down from Heaven. We hear but 
little about that nowadays. So it is — So it is ! 

Now when a child, mother instilled in her son 
the love of letters ; and father impressed his son 
with the importance of a knowledge of God. 
Father would read and expound the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and mother taught her son to spell and read 
and learn the catechism. Hence, like Timothy, 
form a youth we have known the Holy Scrip- 
tures which have made us wise unto salvation. 

Devotion to integrity and truth is another les- 
son with which we were impressed while young. 
Although mother was exceedingly modest, timid 
and diffident, and never boasted of her ancestry, 
yet she had great devotion to family honor and 
integrity ; and thought well of her ancestry ; 
and modestly impressed her children with a 
sense of honor, from the fact that hers was a 



Fools for Christ. 17$ 

a respectable family. When a child we weu 
taught that John Hancock signed the declara- 
tion of independence without exhibiting nervous- 
ness; and that William Henry Harrison was 
President of the United States ; and furthermore, 
that many of the members of this family were 
distinguished for their piety, chastity and devo- 
tion to God, and some were faithful ministers 
of the Gospel. These things were occasionally 
referred to, not in a boastful spirit to make us 
vain ; but to encourage us to emulate their ex- 
ample, and cultivate a spirit of integrity. These 
things came from mother, who though delicate, 
reserved, modest, and timid ; yet so devoted was 
she to family integrity that she would have faced 
a battle-ax if necessary in its defence. Such 
impressions received we from mother; while 
father said but little about his relations, only 
that his mother was a chaste, good, true woman, 
and his father a red-haired Irishman given to 
dissipation ; but reformed in his advanced age, 
identified himself with the church, and died in 
the faith. But he impressed his children with 
the truth of God. When a child we learned 
that God cannot lie, and that his word is truth, 
and that we should believe it, reverence, love 
and obey it ;and you could not have offered him a 
more grievous insult than to have insinuated 
any thing to the contrary. Like Elijah, he was 
jealous for the God of Israel and had no com- 
promise to make with those who disputed the 
word and law of God; and defended it with all 
the energy and power of his nature. Being of 
Irish descent he had a tender feeling for his op- 



176 Fools for Christ. 

pressed brethren and kinsmen over the sea, and 
great respect for the Irish blood ; loved to relate 
examples of their wit and would tell its how 
they were oppressed by England and such were 
the influence of these things that we confess 
the truth and lie not that from childhood we 
have been somewhat partial to the Irish blood. 

In addition to these circumstances which had 
a wonderful influence over us in childhood, 
father in his discourses in the pulpit would 
frequently speak of the devotion, fidelity, moral 
courage, heroism of Joshua of old in his conflicts 
with the Canaanitish nations and his victories 
over them, and the manner in which he van- 
quished idolatry and established true religion and 
we would chill and blush on account of our 
unworthiness of such a name and then we would 
almost envy him on account of his heroism and 
the honor wherewith God had honored him. 
Such were the circumstances that influenced our 
childhood; and we are not forgetful of them; 
neither are we indifferent to them now when 
our steps have started down the western side 
of the hill of life, and before a great while we 
will reach the verge of the valley of death. 
Now we wish to offer these circumstances of 
our early life for our almost inveterate hatred 
for tryants in church and state, in districts, 
neighborhoods and in the family, yea we hate 
the spirit that would oppress and wrong a poor 
dog. If in this we are in excess we pray God 
excuse his weak ignorant servant, for the spirit 
of liberty and the love thereof are inculcated in 
his word, and we are taught therein to shun 



Fools for Christ. 177 

the yoke of oppression and to abhor oppressors ; 
and that Jesus came to set at liberty those in 
captivity. 

We would speak relative to our spiritual birth ; 
In the year 1841, we had a natural birth, and 
the news was borne from neighbor to neighbor, 
and from kinsman to kinsman that a man child 
was born into the world; and we presume that 
there was the usual sentiment and expression 
of joy among kindred and friends over such 
events. The child though exceedingly delicate, 
and diseased through the kindest attention, and 
nurture, lived and grew, and passed his youth- 
ful days in sport and fun and some study, and 
labor. And although he was kind and frank 
in disposition and loved his parents, brothers 
and sisters ; and kinsfolks ; yet he had a sufficient 
amount of self will and resentment ; and several 
years were spent in disregard to the higher 
order of moral ducies ; and in indulging sinful 
tempers and ungodly habits. In the year of 1857, 
we though the grace of God got sick of sin, 
and desired to enter upon the new life, drank 
the bitter cup of repentance, through faith ac- 
cepted Christ as the saviour of all who believed, 
and enjoyed the experience common to all those 
who are born of the spirit ; and could exclaim 
with the people, O Lord I will praise thee for 
though thou was angry with me thine anger 
is turned away and thou dost comfort me. My 
internal or spiritual state was so changed or 
renewed that all nature seemed to assume a new 
and more delightful appearance. The air seemed 
fresher and more vitalizing, the water pores, 



178 Fools for Christ. 

and even the stars seemed to magnify themselves ; 
and the news was borne abroad that another 
son was born in Zion ; and according to the 
Scriptures there was joy in the presence of the 
angels, who take pleasure in the repentance of 
a sinner. This event occurred many years ago ; 
and though our experience has been checkered 
and diversified, yet the circumstance of that 
auspicious event are fresh in our memory yet ; 
and to-day we can testify that we were renewed 
in the spirit of our mind and that we have passed 
from death unto life because we love the birth ; 
not only so but in conformity with the spirit of 
Jesus ; we love righteousness and hate iniquity 
and enjoy in a measure the blessing conferred 
upon him for so doing, for we are anointed with 
the oil of gladness above many of our fellows. 

Lest you think us egotistic and that our con- 
version is out of order, we remind you of the fact 
that the inspired penman frequently spoke of 
their experience of grace and further. Wesley 
once said that a man's Christian experience is 
never out of order. Let me rehearse the experi- 
ence of David ; I waited patiently for the Lord ; 
and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He 
brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of 
the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and 
established my goings. And he hath put a new 
song in my mouth even praise unto our God ; 
many shall see it, and hear, and shall trust in the 
Lord. Paul related his experience and call to the 
worfc of the ministry to Agrippa. He had been a 
persecutor of the Saints ; and while on his way to 
Damascus with -authority and commission from 



Fools for Christ, 179 

the chief priests to arrest the christians ; he was 
arrested himself by the Lord Jesus; and he re- 
hearsed them atter to Agrippa. At midday 

king I saw in the way a light from heaven 
above the brightness of the sun, shining round 
about me, and them which journeyed with me. 
And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard 
a voice speaking unto me, saying in the Hebrew 
tongue, Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me? It 
is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And 

1 said, who art thou, Lord? And he said I am 
Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand 
upon thy feet; for I am appeared unto thee for 
this ourpose, to make thee a minister and a wit- 
ness, both of these things which thou hast seen, 
and of those things in thee which I will appear 
unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and 
from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 
to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness 
to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, 
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and 
inheritance among them which are sanctified 
by faith that is in me. Whereupon O king 
Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly 
vision. But showed first unto them of Damas- 
cus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the 
coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that 
they should repent and turn to God, and do 
works meet for repentance. What an experi- 
ence and what a calling had both Paul and David, 
it is so glorious we marvel not at their telling 
it ; and yet in realty and substance it is not more 
glorious than the experience of all the children 
of life and light. 



i So Fools for Christ. 

The greatest and most important event in any 
man's life is conversion and birth in Zion. The 
world would say it was a great day when David 
was crowned king, and greater when he subdued 
his enemies and established his throne in Jeru- 
salem, we grant it ; but it was a greater day when 
God took him out of the horrible pit out of the 
miry clay and placed his feet upon a rock and 
established his goings. He would say that was 
a great day with Paul when he made his defence 
before Agrippa and a greater still when he stood 
on Mars Hill in Athens of Greece and preached 
to the wise men of that distinguished city, this 
is true ; but the grandest event in the life of Paul 
was his conversion to God, and call to the work 
of the ministry by Jesus Christ ; and the grandest 
and most important event in every man's life 
is his conversion and second birth which is of 
the spirit in Mount Zion. 

This is an event that is never regretted by any 
man. Some good men while in physical agony 
and mental anguish and perplexity have lamented 
over their natural birth, and even cursed the 
day in which they came into existence ; for in- 
stance thep rophet Jeremiah says, woe is me my 
mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife 
and a man of contention to the whole earth ! I 
have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to 
me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse 
me. Cursed be the day wherein I was born; let 
not the day wherein my mother bare me be 
blessed. Cursed be the man who brought tidings 
to my father, saying, A man child is borne unto 
thee ; making him very glad. Wherefore came I 



Fools for Christ. i8f 

forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, 
that my days should be consumed with shame. 
In like manner Job cursed his day ; saying : Let 
the day perish wherein I was born, and the night 
in which it was said : There is a man child con- 
ceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God 
regard it from above, neither let the light shine 
upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death 
stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the black- 
ness of the day terrify it. As for that night ; let 
darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto 
the days of the year, let it not come into the 
number of the months. Lord, let that night be 
solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. Let 
them curse it that curse the day, who are ready 
to raise up their mourning. Let the stars of the 
twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, 
but have none; neither let it see the dawning of 
the day; because it shut not up the doors of my 
mother's womb, nor hide sorrow from mine eyes. 
Thus some in consequence of their weakness in 
great trials of affliction have lamented over their 
natural birth, and some who have been born 
spiritually may have reproached themselves for 
the abuse of their privileges and for their back- 
slidings and wickedness ; but we have not a single 
example of any one who thus lamented over the 
fact that they had been born of the spirit. This 
is to them the most auspicious event in their 
history and one of the brightest days of their 
lives for on this day the sun of righteousness 
doth appear unto them in full splendor — and 
God who commanded light to shine out of dark- 
ness doth shine into their hearths to give unto 



1 82 Fools for Christ. 

them the light of the knowledge of the glory of 
God in the face of Jesus Christ. To the true 
and faithful this is a blessed day, for which they 
are ever thankful. Two events are indispensably 
necessary in order for a man to be a man fully 
and truly in the kingdom of God. One is a 
natural birth and the other a spiritual birth. That 
which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which 
is born of the spirit is spirit ; and it requires both 
flesh and spirit in unity to constitute a perfect 
man. Hence Jesus said to Nicodemus : 

Except a man be born again he cannot enter 
into the kingdom of God. 

Now the natural mother of man is woman who 
is composed of flesh and water ; and his spiritual 
mother is the church of God. Jerusalem which 
is above is the mother of us all ; that is of all who 
have been born of the Spirit. This proposition 
concerning the church is sustained by the prophet 
Isaiah ; and from the passage we learn that there 
are no failures or abortions in Zion. Before she 
travailed she brought forth, before her pain came, 
she was delivered of a man child. Who hath 
heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? 
shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day ? 
or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as 
Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring 
forth? Saith the Lord: Shall I cause to bring 
forth, and shut the womb saith thy God. Re- 
joice ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her. all 
ye that love her ; rejoice for joy with her, all ye 
that mourn for her* that ye may suck, and be 
satisfied with the breasts of her consolations: 



Fools for Christ. 183 

that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the 
abundance of her glory. 

The church is a divine institution — temple or 
house and it is spiritual. 

Its foundation is spiritual. Thus saith the Lord 
God: Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a 
stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a 
sure foundation. Furthermore Christ is spiritual 
and he is incorporated in this foundation ; and he 
is a living stone disallowed indeed of men, but 
chosen of God and precious. And every member 
connected with this building is spiritual. Ye also, 
as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an 
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, 
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. For through 
him we both " that is Jews and Gentiles" have 
access by one spirit unto the Father. Now there- 
fore saith the apostle, ye are no more strangers 
and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints 
and of the household of God ; and are built upon 
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. 
In whom all the building fitly framed together 
groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord; in 
whom ye also areb uilded together for an habi- 
tation of God through the Spirit. 

The word of God by which this temple is built 
and the mmebres thereof are nourished is spirit- 
ual. The source of it is spiritual. It eminated 
from the Word Logos or Readen. In the be- 
ginning was the Word an dthe Word was with 
God and the Word was God. All things were 
made by Him — and without Him was not any 
thing made that was made. And the word was 



'184 Fools for Christ. 

made flesh and dwelt among us and we be- 
held His glory, the glory of the only begot- 
ten of the Father — full of grace and truth. Now 
the flesh is weak and perishable — it withers and 
decays and its effects are transient ; furthermore 
it has not the power of vitality. Jesus was put to 
death in the flesh ; but quickened by the Spirit. 
Now the Spirit is the source of vitality, energy 
and power. It is the Spirit that quickeneth ; the 
flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak 
unto you, they are Spirit and they are life. This 
truth like many other causes is better understood 
by its effects than any other way. The vital 
force, energy and zeal manifested by Christians 
and realized in the church in all ages is the result 
of the spiritual word. We have this treasure in 
earthen vessels that the excellency of the power 
may be of God and not of us. The new life — the 
life of righteousness witnessed among the fol- 
lowers of Jesus Christ is the product of this vital 
power of the Spirit by means of the spiritual 
word. Hence it is said that the Gospel is the 
power of God unto salvation to every one that 
believeth to the Jew first and also to the Gen- 
tile. Furthermore the church and every mem- 
ber thereof is sustained by spiritual food. The 
ancient church was baptized unto Moses in the 
cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same 
spiritual meat ; and did all drink the same spirit- 
ual drink ; for they drank of that spiritual Rock 
that followed them; and that Rock was Christ. 
To this spiritual sustenance we are invited by 
these words of thep rophet: Ho every one that 
thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath 



Fools *or 'hrist. 185 

no money come ye, buy, and eat ; yea come, buy 
wine and milk without money and without price. 
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which 
is not bread ? and your labor for that which satis- 
fieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat 
that which is good, and let your soul delight itself 
in fatness. Incline your ear and come unto me 
hear, and your soul shall live and I will make 
an everlasting covenant with you even the sure 
mercies cf David. A spritual church must of 
necessity have a spiritual ministry to feed it with 
a spiritual word. The duty of the ministry is 
clearly set forth in the oracles of God. Levi was 
both a type and pattern ; of succeeding ministers 
of the sanctuary of both the old and new dis- 
pensation. Thus saith the Lord concerning this 
distinguished servant. My covenant was with 
him of life and peace ; and I gave them to him 
for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was 
afraid before my name. The law of truth was in 
his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips ; 
he walked with me in peace and equity, and did 
turn many away from iniquity. For the priest's 
lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek 
the law at his mouth : for he is the messenger of 
the Lord of hosts. Again : They shall teach my 
people the difference between the holy and pro- 
fane, and cause them to discern between the un- 
clean and the clean. 

If any man would engage in this work prop- 
erly ; and he as the mouth of God — he must stand 
before him, and take forth the precious from the 
vile. 

This work is spiritual ; and none can engage in 



1 86 Fools for Christ. 

it successfully only the spiritually minded. It re- 
quires spiritual light and knowledge to qualify 
any one to minister in spiritual things. The 
apostles and prophets were thus prepared for 
their work. Hence Paul says God who com- 
manded light to shine out of darkness hath shone 
into our hearts to give unto us the light of the 
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of 
Jesus Christ. Again the natural man receiveth 
not the things of the Spirit of God ; for they are 
foolishness unto him, neither can he know them 
because they are spiritually discerned. It is the 
heighth of presumption and imposition for a man 
who has not been divinely initiated in spiritual 
discernment and understanding to attempt to min- 
ister in spiritual things. God says of such proph- 
ets I have not sent them, yet they run ; I have not 
spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they 
had stood in my counsel, and had caused my peo- 
ple to hear my words, then they could have 
turned them from their evil way; and from the 
evil of their doings. In the days of Isaiah and 
Jeremiah the church was cursed with false 
prophets whom the Lord had not sent*— who 
prophesied by Baal and walked after things that 
did not profit — and thus led the church into idol- 
atry wherefore the Lord said unto them : Turn O 
backsliding children ; for I am married unto you ; 
and I will take you one of a city, and two of a 
family, and I will bring you to Zion ; and I will 
give you pastors according to mine heart, which 
shall feed you with knowledge, and understand- 
ing. Again he says I will gather the remnant of 
my flock out of all countries and set up shepherds 



Fools for Christ. 187 

over them which shall feed them and they shall 
fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they 
be lacking saith the Lord. 

To the flock which had been fleeced, op- 
pressed, scattered and torn in consequence of the 
evil-doings of false shepherds God saith I will 
save my flock and they shall no more be a prey ; 
and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And 
I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall 
feed them, even my servant David ; he shall feed 
them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the 
Lord will be their God, and my servant David a 
prince among them; I, the Lord have spoken it. 
Now David is a type of Christ; and you will 
recognize the fact that these prophecies have 
reference to Christ the good shepherd and to his 
subordinates whom he sent out over the moun- 
tains and hills and valleys and among all nations 
in search of his wandering sheep ; which had 
gone astray. I am the good shepherd; the good 
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he 
that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose 
own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and 
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catch- 
eth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling 
fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not 
for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and 
know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the 
Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father ; 
and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other 
sheep I have, which are not of this fold ; them 
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice ; 
and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 
Now Christ is the chief shepherd, or paster and 



1 88 Fools for Christ. 

the apostles and disciples were subordinates and 
these correspond with the prophecies of olden 
times and in these we have the divine idea of 
a faithful shepherd — they were spiritual and 
abounded with a knowledge of the holy — had 
spiritual understanding — and could properly ex- 
pound the covenants and the law and prophecies 
and unfold the mysteries of grace and salvation. 

A true evangelical ministry is a special gift of 
God, through Jesus Christ who is the reserrection 
and the life. After he had conquered death and 
triumphed over the sepulchre he ascended up on 
high, led captivity captive and gave gifts unto 
men. He gave some apostles ; and some proph- 
ets ; and some evangelist ; and some pastors ana 
teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for the 
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the 
body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the 
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the 
stature of the fulness of Christ ; that we hence- 
forth be no more children tossed to and fro, and 
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the 
slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby 
they lie in wait to deceive ; but speaking the truth 
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which 
is the head, even Christ ; from whom the whole 
body fitly joined together and compacted by that 
which every joint supplieth, according to the 
effectual working in the measure of every part, 
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying 
of itself in love. 

For this glorious spiritual work a special quali- 
fication effected by divine energy and grace is nee- 



Fools for Christ. 189 

essary. We will give as an example the case of 
Isaiah who is styled the evangelical phophet. He 
had a vision of God and his glory and of the 
Seraphims, who cried one to the other saying; 
holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, then said 
he : Woe is me ; for I am undone ; because I am 
a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a 
people of unclean lips ; for mine eyes have seen 
the King the Lord of hosts. Then flew one 
of the Seraphims unto him, having a live coal 
in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs 
from off the altar; and he laid it upon his 
mouth, and said lo, this hath touched thy lips ; 
and thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin 
purged; and he heard the voice of the Lord 
saying, whom shall I send and who will go for 
us; Then Isaiah answered here am I, send me, 
and the Lord commanded him to go and bear a 
special message to the people; and every one of 
the true prophets of old were specially qualified 
by God himself for this high and holy calling, 
and so were the disciples and the apostles and 
every man who enters upon the sacred duties 
of the ministry, ought to have his lips and his 
heart touched with holy fire from God's altar 
and hear the still small voice speaking to his 
spiritual ear and understanding, saying, go and 
speak to this people the words of eternal life, 
before he ever dares to do it ; lest he be charged 
with presumption and be noted as an impostor 
by him, who saith : Behold, I am against them 
that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and 
do tell them, and cause my people to err by their 
lies and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, 



190 ' Fools for Christ. 

nor commanded them; therefore they shall not 
profit this people at all saith the Lord. 

The apostle Paul speaks of some of the char- 
acteristics of the true minister that we wish to 
include in this essay. Therefore seeing we have 
this ministry as we have received mercy, we 
faint not; but have renounced the hidden things 
of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor 
handling the word of God deceitfully ; but by 
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves 
to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 
Again having therefore these promises, dearly 
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthi- 
ness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in 
the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged 
no man, we have corrupted no man; we have 
defrauded no man. From which we learn that 
a minister of the Gospel should be sincere, frank, 
honest, candid and impartial and positive in ex- 
pounding the Scripture, and strive to live a 
holy incorruptible life. 

Now we speak of the importance of the minis- 
try as taught by Jesus Christ the chief pastor 
and bishop of souls. He spake to them concern- 
ing their saviouring influence ; Saying ye are the 
salt of the earth ; but if the salt have lost his 
savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? It is thence- 
forth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to 
be trodden under foot of men. 

Again in commending their wisdom he says. 
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set 
on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light 
a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a 
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that 



Fools for Christ. 191 

are in the house. Let you light so shine before 
men, that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your father which is in heaven. 

It should be noted here that Jesus is the 
primary light, the great spiritual orb, the sun of 
righteousness, the true light that lighteth every 
man that cometh into the world, and the disciples 
and their successors are secondary and subordi- 
note lights. Now the prevalence and final extent 
of this light is typified and illustrated by the 
system of nature as is recorded in the nineteenth 
Psalm. The heavens declare the glory of God 
and the firmament sheweth his handy work, day 
unto day t:tteretb speech and night unto night 
sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor 
language where their voice is not heard. Their 
line is gone out through all the earth, and 
their words to the end of the world. In them 
hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as 
a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and 
rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His 
going forth is from the end of the heaven, and 
his circuit unto the ends of it ; and there is 
nothing hid from the heart thereof. Grand fore- 
runner and symbol of the light of eternal life 
shed forth by Jesus Christ, and exhibited to 
the world by his followers. And if any doubt 
this application of the passage, we call attention 
to the immediate introduction of the law in this 
connection, which was to go forth of Zion and 
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, at the 
instigation of the Messiah. Now says the Psalm- 
ist the law of the Lord is perfect converting the 
soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure making 



192 Fools for Christ. 

wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are 
right ; rejoicing the heart ; the commandment of 
the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Now 
in order that the light of the knowledge of the 
glory of God should be universally diffused. 
Jesus said unto his disciples : Go ye therefore, and 
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost ; teaching them to observe all things what- 
soever I have commanded you ; and lo, I am 
with you always, even unto the end of the world. 
This quotation is taken from the record of St. 
Matthew. Saint Mark gives us some other im- 
portant facts of the commission received by the 
disciples, Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth 
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that be- 
lieveth not, shall be damned. Now Saint Paul 
gives us a consecutive order of facts to impress 
us with the great importance of preaching and 
of the Christian ministry. It is written that who- 
soever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall 
be saved, because the Lord over all is rich unto 
all that call upon him. But how shall they call 
on him, in whom they have not believed? And 
how shall they believe in him, of whom they 
have not heard ? And how shall they hear with- 
out a preacher? And how shall they preach, 
except they be sent? As it is written, how 
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the 
Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
things. So their faith cometh by hearing and 
hearing by the word of God. Hence this divine 
purpose and order of preaching is necessary 



Fools for Christ. 193 

to promote a knowledge of salvation, so that all 
the ends of the earth may return unto the Lord, 
and be saved. 

A call to the work of the ministry is a divine 
appeal to the conscience of him who is chosen for 
this purpose ; and he is fitted both by nature and 
grace for this work. We mean by this that 
he has a good natural capacity to acquire knowl- 
edge, and suitable organs with which to com- 
municate if; and in addition thereto he has what 
the apostle calls spiritual gifts ; concerning which 
he would not have us ignorant ; for the manifesta- 
tion of the spirit is given to every one to prophet 
with all. For to the one is given by the spirit 
the word of wisdom; to another the word of 
knowledge by the same spirit ; to another faith ; 
to another deserving of spirits; to another the 
interpretation of tongues. Now without such 
qualification no man can make a successful min- 
ister of the Gospel. And those who are called 
of God to this work have no alternative only to 
preach. The call is imperative ; and positive, and 
those who would evade it or disregard it are 
troubled with a sense of condemnation which 
caused Paul to exclaim: Woe is me if I preach 
not the Gospel. Furthermore those who are 
thus called are to the manner born, and if they 
fail to follow the indications of the spirit they 
drift out of their sphere and their lives are a 
failure. To preach is their chief calling and 
they are not adapted to any thing else, and if 
they fail in this mission, they are a failure; had 
better not been born. 

What if they are opposed? Their business 



194 Foots for Christ 

is to preach any how, they are not to confer 
with flesh and blood on the question. If kings, 
princes, governors, popes, cardinals and bishops 
without just grounds, involving the Christian 
integrity of the minister, order otherwise he 
should respond in the language of the apostles 
under similar circumstances. We ought to obey 
God rather than man, and preach on, though he 
should be imprisoned and finally be beheaded. 
Thou shalt go to all to whom I shall send thee, 
and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt 
speak. Fear them not for I am with thee, be not 
dismayed for I am thy God. 



Pools for Christ. 193 



CHAPTER XIX. 

mules speech. Continued. 

Let me speak relative to the provision God 
has made for the maintenance of his ministers. 
The question of ministerial support has been a 
great curse to the church and the ministry. And 
the reason of this is because the church has been 
burtherned with many inefficient ministers, and 
because they have gotten up many devices to 
coax and extort money from the church and 
people, instead of following the divine plan. In 
olden times those who administered in holy 
things, thep riests and Levites were supported 
by tithes. And even now some insist upon the 
observance of this law. But that law was en- 
acted for the special purpose of maintaining the 
Mosaic code of ceremonies, and sacrifices, and 
was one of the laws of ordinances ; and the 
whole system was destroyed by Christ in the 
sacrifice he offered on the cross for the sins 
of the world. Having abolished in his flesh the 
emnity, even the law of commandments con- 
tained in ordinances. 

This tithe law was ordained of God for the 
benefit of his ancient church and servants. Ac- 
cordingly they who in olden times, ministered 
about holy things, lived of the things of the 



196 Fools for Christ. 

temple, and they which waited at the altar were 
partakers with the altar. Even so hath the 
Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel 
should live of the Gospel. 

Accordingly when Jesus sent out the twelve 
disciples he said unto them, as ye go preach, 
saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, 
cast out devils ; freely ye have received, freely 
give. Provide neither gold, nor silver nor brass 
in your purses ; nor scrip for your journey, 
neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; 
for the workman is worthy of his meat. 

Again God has made provision for oxen. In 
the law it is written thou shalt not muzzle the 
mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. 
Doth God take care of oxen? And doth he not 
care for his ministering servants and is he not 
jealous of their rights. Paul says that it was for 
the sake of ministers this was written, that he 
that followeth the Gospel plow should plow in 
hope and that he that thresheth in hope should 
be partaker of his hope. Which is of the 
greatest value, earthly or heavenly treasures — 
the temporal or eternal. If we have sown 
unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing 
if we shall reap your carnal things. Of course 
it is not ; hence we have this explicit injunction 
of the apostle: Let him that is taught in the 
word communicate to him that teacheth in all 
good things. So explicit and positive is this law, 
that it needs no comment; and clerical and 
church legislation relative to the matter is use- 
less, and inexpedient, because such legislation has 



Fools for Christ. 197 

a tendency to weaken rather than to increase the 
force of the obligation. But for whom v/as this 
law intended? For all faithful ministers whom 
God calls to this work and their wives and chil- 
dren provided they have not personal means 
which renders them independent of any benefice 
from the church. Paul in his poverty did not 
avail himself of this provision, and insist upon the 
observance of the law by those to whom he 
ministers of wealth can afford to be as lenient 
worked with their own hands and supported 
themselves, and helped others also. And certainly 
ministers of wealth can afford to be as linient 
to the church as the poor apostles. We call 
their special attention to what Paul says con- 
cerning this ordinance and law of God and his 
conduct relative to it. He asserts that God 
has ordained that they which preach the Gospel 
shall live of the Gospel ; but says he I have used 
none of these things, neither have I written 
these things, that it should be so done unto me; 
for it were bette: for me to die, than that any 
man should make my glorying void. For though 
I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory 
of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is 
unto me, if I preach not the Gospel ! For if I 
do this thing willingly, I have a reward ; but if 
against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is 
committed unto me. What is my reward then? 
Verily that, when I preach the Gospel, I make 
the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I 
abuse not my power in the Gospel. Now if it 
be not an abuse of power, is it not, to say the 
least, of it an unnecessary use of it for ministers 



198 Fools for Christ. 

who are rich to enforce this law for their own 
benefit. In what can they glory? Certainly 
they are only slightly impressed with the dis- 
pensation of the Gospel committed to them, and 
can hardly say woe is unto me if I preach it 
not. This law was designed for the benefit of 
poor ministers, and it is an infringement upon 
their heaven ordained rights, for the rich to 
accept the benefice. Christ said to his disciples": 
Take heed and beware of covetousness. 

The design of this law was not to compensate 
ministers for preaching. A true minister does 
not want any remuneration for ministerial serv- 
ices. He is a servant ; but not a hireling, in 
the common sense of the term. The Saviour in 
directing his disciples how to proceed in their 
work, taught them that when they entered a house 
to eat, and drink; for the laborer is worthy of 
his hire. But he did not intend to teach that 
the minister is a hireling; but that he also is 
a servant and is justly and lawfully entitled to 
his support. The minister cannot afford to be 
a hireling. In such a case if he is the servant of 
Christ, he would subject himself to two or more 
masters, and he could not serve both sincerely 
and successfully. For he would love the one 
and hate the other, or else he would cleave to the 
one and despise the other. Again he would 
thereby forfeit his liberty as a servant of Christ ; 
for those who employed him would have a right 
to all his time and service and he would be re- 
stricted in his ministry. Woe to the flock that 
hath a hired minister; when the wolves are 
prowling round. The hireling fleeth because he 



Fools for Christ. 199 

is a hireling and careth not for the sheep. The 
object of this provision for the benefit of the 
ministry is not to compensate them for their 
services, but to relieve them of domestic cares 
and perplexities, so that they may have time to 
study and preach and look after the flock ; and 
minister to all their necessities. Again it is 
absurd to talk about paying a preacher with out 
you owe him for a book or a pony — you cannot 
pay him for his preaching ; if he is a true worthy 
minister of Jesus Christ. To pay for a thing 
means to give full value for the thing received, 
and the Gospel cannot be valued, it is of infi- 
nite worth, the gift of heaven comes to us free 
without money and without price, you cannot 
pay for the Gospel, nor for its benefits. You 
had as well talk about paying Christ for re- 
deeming you as to talk about paying for the 
Gospel, or paying thep reacher for ministering 
to you in holy things, and feeding you with the 
bread of life. This is a benefit that is inestimable, 
and one for which you cannot pay. If you were 
to attempt it, it would bankrupt you, bankrupt the 
world, and then the debt would not be cancelled. 
It is the height of nonsense to talk about paying 
a preacher for ministeral services. All you can 
do, and all God requires you to do, and all any 
true minister desires is a just and reasonable 
benefice in temporal things ; for the benefit of 
his physical nature to enable him to devote his 
time and talents to the work of the ministry. 
While you cannot pay a true minister for preach- 
ing you can easily pay those who put a price on 
their ministry and claim the same as a reward 



200 Fools for Christ. 

of their personal merit for the whole fraternity 
are not worth more than a farthing as ministers ; 
and we would gladly give this and a great deal 
more to get clear of them, for they are not 
worthy of the name, nor of such position in the 
church of Christ. All they care for is to fleece 
the sheep, and share of the loaces and fishes. 

Now it is evident that this law which was 
ordained for the maintenance of the ministry 
should be applied for the benefit of all worthy 
ministers and their families who are not capable 
of sustaining themselves ; and by consulting the 
ninth chapter of first Cor. you will discover 
that this position is sustained by Saint Paul. 
From this chapter we learn that there were 
some characters at Corrinth who denied the 
ministerial rights and privileges of Paul and 
Barnabus. It seems they did not want them to 
lead about a wife or a sister or receive any bene- 
fit whatever from the church, they called in ques- 
tion their liberty and claims as apostles. To 
which Paul answered : Am I not an apostle ? 
Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are 
not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an 
apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you, 
for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the 
Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine 
me in this. Have we not power to eat and drink ? 
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a 
wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren 
of our Lord and Cephas ? Or I only, and Barna- 
bus have we not power to forbear working? 
Now it is not 'strange that the Methodist church 
at its organization in America should do the 



Fools for Christ. 201 

same thing; by introducing a clause in their 
constitution that debarred the local ministry 
from any temporal benefice from the church; 
and to convince you that we are not mistaken 
in our interpretation of said clause ; bishop Mc- 
Tzerie in his book entitled " The Manuel of the 
Discipline," uses these plain words : " The local 
preacher is not entitled to a stipend." It is ques- 
tionable whether any preacher is entitled to a 
stipend ; but this is not the point under considera- 
tion at the present; for we are writing relative 
to this unjust and unscriptural discrimination ; 
for this is certainly a violation of the spirit and 
letter of the law concernng ministerial support, 
and is equivalent to muzzling the ox that treadeth 
out the corn. The apostle had the moral courage 
to denounce and refute the position assumed 
b - those selfish characters at Corrinth and by the 
grace of God we propose doing the same thing 
relative to the proceedings and practices of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, North and South. 

Paul asked some pointed questions relative to 
the matter that he did not answer; but we pro- 
pose answering them. Who goeth a warfare any 
time at his own charges? A local preacher of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 
He wars against the world, the flesh and the 
devil, surely at his own expense, he even has 
to pay for his sword " The Word." 

Who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk 
of the flock? A local preacher of aforesaid 
churches? Without some good sister in her 
kindness gives him a cup of cow's milk which 
we confess is very good ; but it is quite a meager 



202 Fools for Christ. 

benefice; for the bread and water of life dis- 
penced by the humble servant of God. Who 
planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit 
thereof? A local preacher of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church both North and South. If 
he plants a vineyard in the backwoods or out 
on the frontiers of Texas or Mexico, as soon as 
it begins to bud or blossom, he must mount upon 
his pony, ride over and report the matter to 
the circuit rider ; who takes charge of it, gathers 
all the fruit, and does not give his poor humble 
brother who planted the vineyard, so much as 
a bunch of grapes. How selfish, and unscrip- 
tural. In this matter our fathers acted parsi- 
moniously and of course unwisely ; for they 
set an example of selfishness before the church ; 
and in ignoring the scriptural rights of others ; 
they in a great measure ignored their own claims ; 
and now those who adhere to the system, claim 
that they serve a selfish church. Be it so ; what- 
soever a man soweth that shall he also reap. 
But we hope that this error of the fathers will be 
correct by their descendants and for this we 
write and pray. 

But what shall we do to regulate this matter? 
Do nothing only to teach the church its duty 
to all true ministers ; and let the thing regulate 
itself according to the fidelity and necessities 
and merit of those who minister in holy things 
whether they be local or itinerant. This would 
encourage the true, and discourage the false, 
many of whom are sustained by a form of law 
and the custom of thee hurch. Put every man 
on his own merit; and if he has not Gospel and 



Fools for Christ. 203 

grace in him to float; let him sink. Thus you 
will rid the church of many wolves in sheep's 
clothing. 

How is this benefice for the ministry to be 
raised or collected. Concerning the method we 
have but little to say, wisdom if excercised will 
select those methods that are most expedient and 
practical; but there are certain scriptural rules 
and regulations that must be observed in raising 
this benefice. In the church of God in all ages 
the will of the members has been consulted rela- 
tive to such matters; and this is prompted and 
governed by the grace within, and their gifts 
or contributions should be regulated in propor- 
ion to their several ability, and the necessities 
of the case. Dictation and coersene means 
are out of order, contrary to the spirit of this 
law, and should not be employed. The Lord 
said unto Moses : Speak unto the children of 
Israel ; that they bring me an offering ; of every 
man that giveth it willingly of his heart ye shall 
take my offering. And Moses spake unto all 
the congregation of the children of Israel, say- 
ing: This is the thing which the Lord com- 
manded saying: Take ye from among you an 
offering unto the Lord ; whosoever is of a willing 
heart, let him bring it ; an offering of the Lord, 
gold and silver and brass. And the same prin- 
ciple obtains in the later dispensation relative 
to Christian giving and the maintenance of the 
ministry. Every man according as he purposeth 
in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly or 
of necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

The church stands on its own merit: and its 



204 Fools for Christ 

ministers cannot afford to resort to crafty means 
to acquire salaries for their services, they would 
thereby betray the fact that they were after filthy 
lucre, which is forbidden in the Gospel, and 
thus they would cause an outburst of prejudice 
against the ministry. Hence its means of sup- 
port is in the grace established in the hearts of 
those who receive the ministry; and they are 
prompted by this grace to respond to the tem- 
poral necessities of those who minister unto them 
in spiritual things. So that christian liberality 
is the fruit of the grace of God in the heart, and 
where there is no grace, nothing is expected for 
this cause, and the true minister is more con- 
cened about the grace than about the gift ; hence 
Paul rejoiced at the liberality of the Philippians 
toward him in his trouble. Not says he because 
I desire a gift ; but I desire fruit that may abound 
to your own account. 

The minister by means of the word or Gospel 
of grace produces or begets the grace of benefi- 
cence and liberality in the hearts of all who truly 
hear and receive the word; and this grace re- 
sponds to the legtimate claims and necessities 
to the faithful minister, and this act of benevo- 
lence is the means of grace abounding both in 
the donors ond the recipient of the benefit; 
and the increase to the minister and to those who 
are ministered unto is in proportion to the bene- 
fit ; He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also 
sparingly; but he that soweth bountifully, shall 
reap also bountifully. This law applies to both 
them inister and the people whom he serves ; so 



Fools for Christ. 205 

that there is a reciprocity between them in the 
ministration of their services. 

The ministers' means of temporal support is 
in the power of the Gospel. And so potent is it 
that wherever it is properly wielded? in aus- 
picious fields which are white unto the harvest, 
that he, if prudent in his demands and wise in 
the science of economy is almost sure of a 
sufficiency to keep him above want. And the 
reason why many complain of scanty living is 
to be attributed to their extravagant views and 
habits, or to their unskillfulness in handling 
the word of righteousness. 

Now we admit that in countries where the 
word has not been long established and has not 
therefore developed much fruit and in districts 
that are very poor, there may be exceptions to 
this rule, but even in them the faithful servant 
will find some friends who will appreciate his 
merit and calling and contribute to his neces- 
sities. And in such places the wise minister 
will follow the example of Saint Paul instead 
of enforcing the law of ministerial support and 
thusly making a display of his authority and 
power in the Gospel, he will preach the word, 
and depend upon his own physical exertions 
for a living. " All things that are lawful are 
not expedient.' , Under certain circumstances 
he would not use this power; but suffered all 
things, lest he should hinder the Gospel of Christ. 
After founding the church at Theselonica he 
wrote them a letter in which he says ; Ye remem- 
ber brethren our labor and tranquil ; for laboring 
night and day, because we would not be charge- 



2o6 'Fools for Christ. 

able unto any of you, we preached unto you the 
gospel of God. In his farewell address to the 
Elders of the church at Ephesus he said. I have 
coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel. Yea, 
ye yourselves know, that these hands have min- 
istered unto my necessities and to them that 
were with me. I have showed you all things, 
how that so laboring ye ought to support the 
weak, and to remember the words of the Lord 
Jesus, how he said : It is more blessed to give 
than to receive. Such was the deportment of 
Paul and Barnabus, and such should be the de- 
portment of all ministers under such or similar 
circumstances. Always be sure brethren that 
the ministry be not blamed. 

Now your majesty King Ram, you in the close 
of your opening address required me to give 
an account of my stewardship and give an ex- 
planation of certain matters which we now pro- 
ceed to do in all candor and honesty ; for in 
matters of faith and religion we keep back noth- 
ing that ought to be made known ; and take 
pleasure in disseminating views that we consider 
Scriptural regardless of consequences. In order 
that you may fully understand the agitation that 
occurred at a certain church, it is necessary for 
us to state that we were present when said house 
of worship was dedicated, and the brother who 
officiated seemed to assume all the gravity, solem- 
nity and majesty of Solomon when the dedi- 
cated the temple in olden times, and it seemed 
that he tried to impress the people that the 
divine nature and glory would abide in that 
house in a degree and manner not elsewhere 



Fools for Christ. 207 

realized and that the tiles would almost shimmer 
with the glow of the divine spirit and thus he 
magnified the temporal and made a false impres- 
sion on the minds of the brethren to whom that 
house was committed ; and they for several 
years were almost jealous for the glory of the 
house made principally of poplar wood, which 
caused more or less unpleasantnes sin the com- 
munity ; now in the course of events we had an 
opportunity of making a speech relative to the 
matter in which we detracted from the temporal 
and augumented the spiritual, especially the 
spiritual temple or church, which drew upon us 
the righteous indignation of a number of the 
brethren beloved. You have a key to the whole 
matter in the case of St. Steven who being full 
of faith and power did great wonders and mi- 
racles among the people. Then there arose cer- 
tain of the synagogue, which is called the syna- 
gogue of the Libertines, and Cyrianians, and 
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of 
Asia, disputed with Steven. And theywere not 
able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which 
he spake. Then thy suborned men which said: 
We have heard him speak blasphemous words 
against Moses and against God. And they 
stirred up the people and the elders, and the 
scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, 
and brought him to the council ; and set up 
false witnesses, which said: This man ceaseth 
not to speak blasphemous words against this 
holy place and the law. For we heard him say, 
that this Jesus will destroy this place, and shall 
change the customs which Moses delivered us. 



2o8 Fools for Christ. 

Thus they testified, but what had he taught in 
fact concerning the matter? We have it in 
his defence. 

But Solomon built him a house. How be it 
the most high dwelleth not in temples made with 
hands ; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne 
and earth is my foot-stoo! ; what house will ye 
build Tve ? Saith the Lord ; or what is the place 
of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these 
things? Thus it was that the troubles to which 
you honorable king alluded, originated which 
resulted in the discussion of many of the proposi- 
tions set forth in your address concerning the 
church and the ministry and in this my humble 
defence ; and I sincerely hope that you and the 
court will take cognizance of all these questions, 
and deal impartially and justly with your hum- 
ble servant. And before I close allow me to 
say that vain and selfish ambition in the min- 
istry has much to do in such matters. In the 
Scriptures it said, " God created man in his own 
image, in the image of God created he him." 
Now there is something in man that is God- 
like; and he is not satisfied with this, for he 
aspires to be God, and even superior to him. 
Mother Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden 
fruit under the delusion that she should be as 
God. Senecereb would exalt his throne above 
the stars of God and be equal to the Most High. 
In wisdom and dominion ; vain man would be as 
God; and the ministry is not blameless on this 
question. 

Now sir we claim that there is a modern Jericho 
and that vain ambition in the christian minis- 



Foots for Christ. 209 

try is exalted therein ; and it is surrounded with 
a wall great and high, daubed with untempered 
mortar, for they have made lies their refuge 
and under falsehood have they concealed them- 
selves, therefore we propose encompassing this 
city with true priests and the ark of the covenant, 
and sounding the trumpet of rams' horns and 
shouting with all our might, so that this accursed 
wall may fall down flat and then we will take the 
city, and destroy its self idolizing crew. Will 
the court agree to the proposition? Amen is the 
hearty response. So them ule concludes in good 
cheer. 



2io Fools for Christ. 



CHAPTER XX. 

CONCLUSION. 

At the conclusion of the mule's speech the 
judges retired to a private hall and consult each 
other relative to the matter, and come to the 
following conclusions : 

The first is that the mule's views relative to 
the spirituality of the church, the word, and the 
ministry are certainly scriptural and therefore 
correct. 

2. This exposition of the law relative to 
ministerial support is certainly rational, liberal, 
and worthy of commendation. The only differ- 
ence between him and the teaching and practice 
of the church relative to this question is the ex- 
tent of its application ; and perhaps there has 
been some injudicial legislation on this subject. 
The Methodist church from its origin has had 
two classes of ministers, namely lay or local 
preachers ; who generally have homes and preach 
as they have opportunity ; and itinerant preachers, 
who are usually destitute of permanent homes and 
travel from one section of the country to another 
and spend most of their time in preaching and 
looking after the affairs of the church. These 
are called by way of distinction, itinerants. At 
the time of the organization of the Methodist 



Fools for Christ. 211 

church in America the members thereof were 
few in number, generally poor and scattered 
over a great portion of this continent, and in 
order to sustain the itinerant system which was 
thought to be the most successwul plan of propa- 
gating the Gospel in this, at that time wilderness 
country, special provision was made for those 
ministers who united themselves in a body con- 
stituting what is denominated by Methodists, a 
conference, to the exclusion of others from the 
temporal benefits of the church. This we pre- 
sume was not done in the spirit of selfishness, 
for the purpose of wronging any one ; but simply 
as an expedient to sustain those ministers who 
were engaged in the regular work of traveling 
and preaching the Gospel; and had no other 
means of support. But it certainly is not alto- 
gether compatible fith the spirit and law of the 
Gospel concerning the benefice to which the min- 
ister of the word is entitled ; and especially with 
that declaration of Paul concerning the matter, 
namely, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the 
ox that treadeth out the corn. So we have not 
sufficient grounds to censure the mule on this 
question. 

He also expresses great aversion to the spirit 
and practice of imperialism in the ministry and 
emphasizes the language of the apostle on the 
subject; neither as ????? over God's heritage 
and yet due respect and submission to ministers 
on the part of members is inculcated in this lan- 
guage of the apostle: Let the elders that rule 
well be counted worthy of double honor, espe- 
cially they who labor in the word and doctrine. 



212 Fools for Christ. 

Again the apostle saith to the Hebrews: Re- 
member them which have the rule over you, 
who have spoken unto you the word of God. 
In the same chapter he says: Obey them that 
have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; 
for they watch for your souls, as they that must 
give account, that they may do it with joy, and 
not with grief. The minister is more of a 
spiritual guide or leader than ruler, and in order 
that he may be successful in the work of build- 
ing up the church, the members must yield obedi- 
ence to the •ministration of the word and show 
due deference to those to whom they have com- 
mitted themselves in the Lord. But the right 
and authority of one minister over another is 
a delicate question; and every one should be 
allowed the right to resent austerity as a safe- 
guard to the liberty Christ has guaranteed o 
his servants. In cases of this kind it is well to 
consider that some ; make a man an offender for 
a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth 
in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing 
of naught; and he that putteth not in their 
mouths, they even prepare war against him. 
And furthermore Madam rumor is not distin- 
guished for her wisdom nor fidelity to the truth. 
Now while we may not approve of all that this 
mule has said and done, yet we believe he is 
orthodox in the faith, and I now move that the 
court exonerate the mule, with the approbation 
of the king. The court together with the king 
agree to the proposition, so the mule stands 
acquitted. 

Now honorable king and fellow judges, it 



Fools for Christ. 213 

was suggested by Mr. Mule at the close of his 
speech that we compass modern Jerico as Joshua 
and the Israelites did in olden times in quest 
of vain ambition in the christian ministry, and 
for the purpose of destroying wolves in sheeps' 
clothing. We concur with our distinguished 
friend, and are willing to engage in this noble 
service; but some timid souls object to it, be- 
cause it will involve us in controversy, and we 
may have some trouble with the armies of the 
aliens. For their encouragement we will state 
that for ages this has been a world of contro- 
versy and religious and civil warfare; and the 
hand is stretched out still and no one can tell 
when it will end. Controversy not only exists 
between man and man; but also between God 
and man. Saith the prophet Micah ; Hear ye, O 
mountains the Lord's controversy, and ye strong 
foundation of the earth; for the Lord hath a 
controversy with his people, and he will plead 
with Israel. O my neople what hove I done 
unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? 
Testify against me. In the book of Hosea, we 
have this language : Hear the word o the Lord, 
ye children of Israel ; for the Lord hath a con- 
troversy with the inhabitants o thfe land, be- 
cause there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowl- 
edge of God in the land. By swearing and 
lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing 
adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth 
blood. The Lord hath also a controversy with 
Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his 
ways ; according to his doings will he recompense 
him. In the prophecy of Jeremiah we learn 



214 Fools for Christ. 

that the Lord hath a controversy with the na- 
tions and that he will plead with all flesh, and 
give them that are wicked to the sword. 

So that the Lord recognizes the intelligence 
of man and deals with him as a reasonable 
creature and challenges them to controversy, 
and even condescends to expostulate with them. 
Produce your cause saith the Lord; bring forth 
your strong reasons saith the king of Iacbo. 
Come now and let us reason together saith the 
Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall 
be as white as snow, and though they be red 
like crimson they shall be as wool. Again 
wherefore do you spend your money? For that 
which is not bread and your labor for that which 
satisfieth not. It is evident from these passages 
that God recognizes the faculty of reason or 
the power of understanding in man with which 
he has endowed him and condescends to argue 
with him. 

But what is this controversy about? The 
truth of his word, the righteousness of his law 
and government, the obligations of man to ren- 
der him obedience; and the inconsistency and 
folly of a life of sin; yea this 'controversy in- 
volves all thep rinciples of true and false religion, 
and their present influences and final results. 

By whom is this controversy carried on? 
Principally by ministers of the Gospel. In olden 
times the prophets were God's agents or repre- 
sentatives in this work. God at sundry times 
and in diverse manners spake in times past unto 
the fathers by the prophets, but in latter times 
he has spoken unto us by his son and the apostles. 



Fools for Christ. 215 

Through all these agents God reasoned with men 
made known his will and law ; and expounded 
the principles of his kingdom. How rich in 
reason and controversy are the holy Scriptures; 
and this controversy is being perpetuated by 
the embassadors of Christ ; and will continue 
on through the ages. Paul like, they reason of 
righteousness, temperance and judgment to 
come ; and confound their adversaries. They 
like Phelix tremble under the logics of insper- 
ation ; and the arguments that flow from the 
divine mind. And it is by means of argument 
and the force of moral obligation and right- 
eous judgments that God proposes subduing 
the world to himself. The truth of God de- 
fies falsehood and makes fear ; and we trust 
that every member of this distinguished court 
will gird himself with the invincible spirit and 
armor of truth which is the armor of righteous- 
ness and that we will carry out the suggestion 
of our heroic friend and beloved brother Mr. 
Mule and that we will boldly march around this 
modern Jerico not only seven times, but seventy 
times seven, if necessary, to battle down its walls, 
and capture the accursed city, and slew false 
ministers with the sword of truth, and destroy 
that dreadful monster vain ambition. Let there 
be no cowards in our ranks— victory is the 
heritage of the brave. Let all who favor the 
proposition and who desire the crown of a moral 
hero in the cause of truth and righteousness say 
I — 1,1,1, is the universal response; so we will 
encompass the city with arguments ; and with 
truth batter down its walls, and slay the ad- 



216 Fools for Christ. 

versaries of the Great King; who have fortified 
themselves with error and cry peace, peace, when 
there is no peace. And now honorable king it 
is the desire of the court that you devise a plan 
and lead us in this noble work, and we wait 
for your orders. Reply we have no plan — shall 
give no orders. Who is sufficient for these 
things. Accept God's plan follow the captain 
of the Lord's host as did his servant Joshua. 
Put on the whole ormor of God ; be courageous ; 
have faith in your leader, and in the means of 
victory. Remember there is no sword like God's, 
no guns equal his guns. Amen. 

Now Scribo the mule, would suggest to the 
ponies and horses that they abandon the use of 
English sketches of sermons and their models, 
and take as examples, Moses' last sermon, re- 
corded in the thirty-second chapter Dut. Give 
ear O ye heavens and I will speak, and hear 
O earth the words of mouth, and the sermon 
of Christ on the Mount, and take instead of 
retorical rules, this instruction of Paul, who was 
a great preacher. If any man speak let him speak 
as the oracles of God, if any man minister, let 
him do it as if the ability which God giveth and 
then the people will be edified and the wheel of 
Zion roll ; God be with you till we meet again. 
Have God bless you in the bonds of love and 
waters of affi'iction, but God is with us : Amen." 
Let us since life is but little more than* a span, 
leave all mean things, to low ambition and the 
pride of kings. Let all say Amen. Pope. 




*%*0 



":>'■ 



The Word — God's Testimony of J« 



APPENDIX. 

KING GOAT DEPOSES KING RAM AND MAKES A SPEECH. 

So much has been said about kings, thrones, and 
dominions, principalities and powers, laws and gov- 
ernments, that it seems useless to say any more. 
And as you have occupied my field and discussed all 
topics appertaining thereunto, I hope you will be so 
indulgent as to allow me more latitude than I other- 
wise would ask. 

This Alexander the Great lived more than three 
hundred years before the advent of Christ. He was 
very brave and was the most successful warrior of 
antiquity. Darius, the King of Persia, collected the 
greatest army that ever trod the earth, numbering 
400,000 footmen and 100,000 horsemen, with which 
to oppose Alexander. But so resolute and invincible 
was Alexander, with forces far inferior in numbers, 
that Darius fled before him and left to the conqueror 
his baggage, wife, children, and mother. But Alex- 
ander was so gallant that he treated them with the 
greatest kindness and courtesy and had them duly 
guarded and protected. 

After reducing the city Tyre to submission after 
a long siege, he marched on to Jerusalem with the 
intention of forcing the Jews to submit to him. They 
in alarm called upon God to deliver them and save 
their city, and importuned Him by burnt-offerings ; 
217 



2 1 8 Appendix. 

and they were saved after this manner : — The Lord 
manifested Himself to the High Priest in a dream 
or vision, and instructed him to clothe himself in his 
priestly robes and for the subordinate priests to do 
likewise, and for them in their grand attire of priestly 
ornaments to meet Alexander as he approached the 
city. They did so, and when Alexander saw them 
coming toward him he bounded forward and met 
them. On beholding their regalia he observed 
written on a plate of gold the name of God and he 
adored Him. When asked a reason for his conduct, 
he explained it by saying that when he was in Ma- 
cedonia that he had a vision of God such as he 
beheld in the High Priest and he was encouraged to 
march boldly into Asia, knowing that God had 
promised He would guide and protect him and that 
he should conquer the Persians. After becoming 
salutations Alexander went on with the High Priest, 
entered the temple and offered sacrifices according 
to the custom of the Jews to Jehovah. Then it is 
said that Jaddua showed unto him the prophecies of 
Daniel concerning himself in his conquest of the 
Persian empire. 

Furthermore, in the great image that Nebuchad- 
nezzar, King of Babylon, saw, the brightness of 
which was excellent and the form terrible, the head 
of which was of fine gold, breast and arms of silver, 
his belly and sides of brass, his legs of iron, his feet 
part iron and part clay, which image is a remarkable 
symbol of the great monarchical governments of the 
world, including the Macedonian empire founded by 
the invincible Alexander and indicated by the belly 
and thighs of brass. A little instruction relative to 
this image is helpful to Bible students, hence I shall 



Appendix. 2ig 

give a short explanation of it. The Babylonian 
Empire was ruled over by Nebuchadnezzar at the 
time he had this dream, and the head of gold denotes 
his kingdom. The Medo-Persian Empire was next 
in order of time, and it was indicated by the breast 
and arms of silver. The next in order was the 
Macedonian, indicated by the belly and thighs of 
brass. The next in order was the Roman Kingdom 
indicated by legs of iron and feet part of iron and 
part of clay. The next Kingdom is indicated by a 
stone cut out of the mountain without hands. Bible 
expositors do not agree about the Stone King- 
dom. Some think it has reference to the Spiritual 
Kingdom of Christ, while others claim that it has 
reference to some political organization, possibly the 
hordes that poured in from northern Europe and 
subdued the kingdom of the Caesars, or Roman Em- 
pire. An author of distinction thinks it symbolized 
the United States of America. 

But one thing is certain, in the broken and divided 
state of the Roman Empire, where there were a 
number of kings, the God of Heaven established 
the Kingdom of Jesus Christ which shall never be 
destroyed, and shall stand for ever. Afterwards the 
wise man Daniel, who was inspired of God to repro- 
duce and interpret this dream of the King of Babylon, 
had a most extraordinary dream himself, having 
reference to the same order of kingdoms of which 
we have spoken* and he too speaks of Alexander the 
Great and the Macedonian Kingdom he founded. 
In his vision he saw a beast like a leopard, having 
upon his back four wings and four heads, to which 
dominion was given. So this is the third time 
Alexander the Great is referred to in the Book of 



220 Appendix. 

Daniel. First, as a he-goat ; second, in the image, 
by the belly and thighs of brass, and lastly, by a 
leopard having wings. These images denote cour- 
age, strength, endurance, and the wings, speed. 
Alexander had all these qualities — he rapidly ran 
over the nations and subdued them, and it is said 
that after he had conquered the world he wept 
because there was not another for him to conquer. 

In Africa you will find the utter blackness of the 
pit of ignorance, superstition, licentiousness, lusts, 
and all the abominations and practices that God 
hates and good men despise. 

Now we will take our stand at the darkest end of 
this pit and there exhibit the true light. But we will 
transfer it from Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, Thya- 
tira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodiceaand from the 
Isle of Patmos — not to Saint Peter's, Rome, nor to 
the Chapel of Rhodes, London, nor to the Brooklyn 
Tabernacle, New York, nor to McKendree, Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, but to a plain country church 
situated on Shoal Creek in Limestone County, 
Alabama, three miles south of a village called 
Gourdsville, built upon a spot of land deeded to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church by an excellent gentle- 
man named Lewis Nelson in about the year 1872. 
Said church is seated on a beautiful plot of land 
having around it a beautiful grove of walnut trees — 
hence called Walnut Grove. To this place we are 
now to transfer the scene described in Africa, for 
the purpose of exhibiting the Light of truth. Now 
for the seven golden candlesticks or churches we will 
substitute those served by the seven stars or minis- 
ters we introduce in order to exhibit this Light that 
lighteth every man thatcometh into the world. The 



Appendix. 22 i 

first is Carter, pastor of the Walnut Grove Church ; 
the second is Gibson, pastor of some missionary 
churches in North Alabama ; the third is Whiticar, 
pastor of Pleasant Hill Church, Tenn. ; the fourth is 
Richerson, pastor of church in Pulaski, Tenn. ; the 
fifth is Boyd, pastor of a district of churches in Ala. ; 
the sixth is Cotton, pastor of Prospect Church, 
Tenn. ; the seventh is West, pastor of church in 
Athens, Ala., who would be a good representative of 
Polycarp. These ministers are true and faithful, 
and correspond with the Seven Stars, spoken of by 
St. John, who represent the Seven Churches indicated 
by the Seven Golden Candlesticks. 

Now they have convened at Walnut Grove and 
just back of that church and opening into it we have 
the darkest end of the grotto from Africa. Now it 
is a place of unutterable darkness and you can almost 
feel the serpents and lizards of sin crawling around 
you. Now these ministers have the light of the 
knowledge of the glory of God shining not on, but 
in them, and they not only have the mind, but the 
spirit of Christ. They have been taught of Christ, 
they are wise in Christ. They know God, His laws 
of grace, mercy and truth, and they have knowledge 
of His works and behold His glory in the heavens 
by night and on earth by day, and even in the earth. 
The light of Christ shineth upon them and in them 
as the light of the sun doth upon the moon, and they 
reflect the light and life of Jesus Christ which was a 
life of humility, of sacrifice, of holiness, love and 
uprightness. They are assembled in the name of 
Christ and are guided by His Spirit. Now the first 
thing they do is to exhibit the crowning glory of 
Christ, which is the principal topic of consideration 



222 Appendix. 

expressed in these words : For in Him dwelleth all 
the fulness of the Godhead bodily ; and these 
ministers have acknowledged the mystery of God, 
and of the Father, and of Christ in whom are hid all 
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now the 
invisible Christ in all His glory appears among them, 
holding these Seven Stars in his right hand, and 
now they are in the Spirit, as was Saint John, and 
He calls with the voice of a great trumpet. 

Colored, Henry Phelps, Joseph Harwell, Booker 
Washington. All honorable men are admitted to 
witness the scene, 

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. 
And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks : 
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one 
like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment 
down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden 
girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, 
as white as snow ; and his eyes were as a flame of fire ; 
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned 
in a furnace ; and his voice as the sound of many 
waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars : 
and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword : 
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his 
strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as 
dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying 
unto me, Fear not ; I am the first and the last : 
/ am he that liveth, and was dead : and, behold, 
I am alive for evermore, Amen ; and have the keys 
of hell and of death. 

This is the spiritual and moral light of the world, 
the light of the King eternal, immutable, from ever- 



Appendix. 22$ 

lasting to everlasting. Whose kingdom is an ever- 
lasting kingdom whose dominion endureth throughout 
all generations. The light of all civil governments, 
they can only shine in righteousness, and peace, and 
prosperity through Him and by His glory. Amen. 
Now we directed you to the luminaries of the grotto. 

Note the glory. 

After these things I saw, and behold, a great mul- 
titude, which no man could number, out of every 
nation, and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, 
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, 
arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands ; 
and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation 
unto our God which sitteth on the throne, and unto 
the Lamb. And all the angels were standing round 
about the throne, and about the elders and the four 
living creatures ; and they fell before the throne on 
their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen : 
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, 
and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God 
for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders 
answered, saying unto me, These which are arrayed 
in the white robes, who are they, and whence came 
they ? And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. 
And he said to me, These are they which come out 
of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, 
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
Therefore are they before the throne of God ; and 
they serve him day and night in his temple : and he 
that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle 
over them. They shall hunger no more, neither 
thirst any more ; neither shall the sun strike upon 
them, nor any heat : for the Lamb which is in the 



22 4 Appendix. 

midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall 
guide them unto fountains of waters of life : and 
God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. 

King Ahab and Elijah meet, and Ahab inquires 
sharply, Art thou he that troubleth Israel ? The 
answer is as sharply returned : I have not troubled 
Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that thou 
hast forsaken the commandments of the Lord and 
thou hast followed Baal. Elijah challenges him to 
test the question as to who is the true God, the Lord 
whom he served or Baal. Gather to me all Israel 
to Mount Carmel, the dwelling place of Baal, and 
the prophets of Baal, and the prophets of Astarte, in 
all eight hundred and fifty. He did so, and Elijah 
came unto all the people and said unto them : If the 
Lord be God, follow him, and if Baal, follow him. 
They were undecided on the question and answered 
not a word. 

The God of Elijah is the invisible Spirit whom no 
man hath seen nor can see. The God of the 
heathen is the sun, he is God, said they. He 
chases away darkness, melts the snow and ice, 
warms the earth and causes it to yield abundant 
fruit, bread and vegetables for man and beast, and 
when he speaks he vails his face in sable clouds 
and his fiery tongue leaps through those clouds and 
sets the hills on fire and burns up the grass of the 
fields, and the dreadful clap and awful roar of thun- 
der which shaketh the earth and makes the moun- 
tains tremble, say they, is the voice of God, their God. 
But their God is not as our God, our adversaries 
themselves being judges. 

The question as to who is the true God is to be 



Appe?idix. 225 

tested. Elijah submits this proposition, the God 
that answers by fire is the God. He said to the 
prophets of Baal, Provide two bullocks, choose one for 
yourselves and let me have the other, and they agreed 
to it. Now take your bullock, cut it in pieces, place 
it on the wood on the altar, but put no fire under, 
and I will do likewise with the other. To this they 
agreed also. Accordingly they proceed, arrange the 
sacrifice according to their custom, gather around 
the altar and cry, O Baal, hear us ! Now just think 
of that lifeless, senseless idol, surrounded by four 
hundred and fifty fanatical, frenzied devotees, 
crying in concert, O Baal, hear us ! Perhaps they 
commenced in a low, plaintive confidential tone, 
which continued for a while and they may have 
paused for an answer. Hearing nothing and seeing 
no indications of fire, Elijah speaks out in galling 
irony, Cry aloud, for he is a god. He may be 
talking to himself, or meditating, or in pursuit of 
something, or is on a journey, or he may be asleep 
and must be awakened. Stung by the sarcasm of 
Elijah, their zeal and enthusiasm become inten- 
sified, their fanaticism reaches its climax, they leap 
up around the altar, cut themselves with knives and 
lances, the blood runs out from their wounds, and 
this multitude of deluded prophets cry aloud, making 
an awful roar, O Baal, hear us, hear us ! and this 
they do from morning till past noon, near the time 
of the offering of the evening sacrifice. 

And there was no voice, nor answer from Baal, 
nor any that regarded ; there was awful silence, a 
prelude of an awful destiny. Now Elijah asked the 
people to come near him ; they did so. With twelve 
stones he repaired the altar of the Lord which had 



226 Appendix. 

been broken down. He made a trench about the 
altar, put the wood in order, cut the bullock in pieces 
and laid him on the wood, and had twelve barrels of 
water poured on the sacrifice and altar, that the 
people might know that he had not placed any fire 
beneath the altar. The water was abundant, ran 
about the altar and filled up the trench with water ; 
if there had been any fire there it would have been 
extinguished. Then Elijah offered an appropriate 
prayer for the occasion, and the fire of the Lord fell 
and it was consuming fire, burnt up the bullock and 
the wood, the stones and dust; went from the trench 
and licked up the water that was in the trench. The 
people witnessed this miracle, fell on their faces and 
said, The Lord, He is the God, the Lord, He is the 
God. Now Elijah ordered them to take the prophets 
of Baal and they did so, and they were carried 
down to the brook Kishon and Elijah slew them, 
not one escaped. 



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ADIRONDACK 
MURRAY 

A Biographical Appreciation 

By Harry V. Radford 

Editor of "Woods and Waters 



W. H. H. MURRAY (b. 1840, d. 1904)— equally celebrated 
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in a personal letter written to the author from " Avalon," 
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